Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Game 1:  Niagara 8, NCCU 7    

Game 2:  NCCU 5, Niagara 3   

DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University rallied late in game two to capture a 5-3 win over Niagara University, splitting Saturday's baseball doubleheader inside historic Durham Athletic Park.

The host Eagles scored three runs in the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead, then plated an insurance run in the sixth for their first win of the 2014 season.

NCCU senior shortstop Zack Lee and senior third baseman Tyson Simpson had huge offensive performances on Saturday. In the doubleheader, Lee went 4-for-6 at the dish with an RBI double, a triple and five runs scored, while also reaching base three times via a hit-by-pitch. Simpson hit 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored. NCCU rookie outfielder Bryant Battle also contributed three hits with a double, three RBI and a run scored during Saturday's twinbill.

NCCU junior pitcher Kyle Shields pitched two scoreless innings, including getting out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the final frame, to earn the save. Junior Eric Kimber closed out the top of the fifth inning before getting replaced by Shields to earn the win for the Eagles.

In Saturday's opener, NCCU scored twice in the first inning and three times in the second to jump out to a 5-2 lead.

Niagara plated two runs in each of the next two innings to go ahead 6-5 in the fourth.

NCCU tied the game in the sixth inning when Simpson doubled home Lee, who opened the Eagles' at-bat with a triple.

Niagara regained the lead in extra innings by scoring two unearned runs thanks to two NCCU errors.

The Eagles threatened in the bottom of the inning by loading the bases with one out. However, the threat ended when Carter Williamson flew out to right field and Carlos Ortiz got caught too far off second base for a double-play to end the game 8-7 in favor of Niagara.

NCCU (1-3-1) and Niagara (2-4) close out the four-game weekend series on Sunday at 12 noon at the Durham Athletic Park. Admission is free.