Box Score BOX SCORE (HTML)

DURHAM, N.C.  – North Carolina Central University found itself down early to the Seahawks of UNCW and never recovered despite the numerous opportunities missed in the 9-0 loss as the Eagles were shutout for the first time all season, and limited to just three hits on Wednesday night at the Durham Athletic Park.
 
After a scoreless first inning in which each squad left a runner on third base, UNCW's Joe Bertone's second double of the year plated the first two runs of the day for the Seahawks giving them the 2-0.
 
NCCU seemed to have returned the favor in the bottom-half of the frame on sophomore Kory Wood's (Spring Lake, N.C.) hard grounder to left field, but Tyler Murphy (Islip, N.Y.) was gunned at home on a tremendous throw by leftfielder Robbie Thorburn keep the maroon and gray off-the-board.
 
The Seahawks added two runs in both the second and third inning, while the Eagle offense sputtered.  In fact, NCCU went five at-bats without a hit from the third inning until the eighth. 
 
UNCW (16-16, 2-3 CAA) rolled to the 9-0 win to send the Eagles to their first shutout since April 23, 2013 on the road at Campbell when the Camels blanked the maroon and gray 10-0.
 
Despite the loss, NCCU (14-19-1, 9-5 MEAC) left nine runners on base, but struck out a combined 10 times in the contest.
 
The three hits for the Eagles ties a season-low set on Feb. 22 against Niagara.  Wood, Jacobi Harris (Pittsboro, N.C.) and Carter Williamson (Roanoke, Va.) all recorded at least one  hit on the night.
 
The maroon and gray will have a quick turnaround as the Eagles will play for sole possession of first place in the MEAC's Southern Division beginning at Saturday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the Durham Athletic Park for doubleheader action as the perennial power Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman make the trek to the Bull City.
 
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