Box Score DURHAM, N.C. – UNC Wilmington rallied for three runs in the top of the eighth inning to come from behind and topple North Carolina Central University 3-2 Tuesday night, April 7 at the Durham Athletic Park.

Both sides recorded a hit in the first inning but neither team could do more than that early as the third hit of the game wouldn't be recorded until the fourth inning by UNCW (22-8) and even then, the score stayed level at 0-0.

NCCU (15-17) was able to break through with the first run of the game after some situational hitting in the bottom of the sixth.  Eric Kimber (Greensboro, N.C.) singled with one out and advanced to second on a steal with Mitchell McCrary (Mills Creek, N.C.) at the plate.  McCrary rewarded the steal with an RBI single to right field, however he was thrown out attempting to advance to second on the throw home to catch Kimber.

UNCW starter Evan Phillps (Clayton, N.C.) would continue into the seventh, walking Ronald Thompson (Chadbourn, N.C.) before facing Christian Triplett (Wilkesboro, N.C.).  Triplett set up for a sacrifice bunt attempt and was able to lay it down the first baseline, however Phillips stumbled coming off the mound and trying to make a quick throw to first threw it over the head of the first baseman allowing Triplett to reach on a bunt single.

Phillips would exit without recording an out in the inning, replaced by Austin Magestro from the bullpen (Manassas, Va.).  Conrad Kovalcik (Detroit, Mich.) stepped up with runners on first and second and no outs and squared for a sacrifice bunt attempt of his own.  He put the ball into fair territory and nearly legged out a single before being called out at first on a bang-bang play that could have gone either way. 

Devin Sweet (Greensboro, N.C.) came up with runners on second and third after the sacrifice bunt and chopped an RBI single that bounced over the head of the leaping first baseman to put NCCU in front 2-0 through seven innings.

Junior righty Cameron Scalzo (Rochester, N.Y.) turned in a quality start for NCCU scattering four hits through seven-plus innings of work before exiting with two runners on with no outs in the eighth.  Blake Morgan (Durham, N.C.) played his role from the bullpen as a left-handed specialist, striking out the only batter he faced to set up the entrance for Andrew Vernon (Raleigh, N.C.).

The first batter Vernon faced was able to reach for a single to load the bases with one out, creating a force out opportunity at each of the bases.  Vernon got the next batter to hit a grounder up the middle of the infield, but a slight misplay turned a potential inning ending double play into a fielder's choice bringing the first run home for UNCW to make the score 2-1.

Kennard McDowell (Darlington, S.C.) the next man up for UNCW ripped a 2-RBI double to the gap in left center to cap the Seahawk rally, moving the visitors in front 3-2.

NCCU looked set for a rally of its own in the bottom of the eighth after Kimber and McCrary walked back-to-back to start the inning and Carlos Ortiz (Cleveland, Ohio) earned a 2-0 count before UNCW reliever Clay Lockamon (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) was pulled without recording an out. 

UNCW closer Jordan Ramsey (Lexington, N.C.) came in to finish the at bat against Ortiz, which also ended in dramatic fashion.  Ortiz laid down a sacrifice bunt, and in similar manner was called out on a split second play at first base trying to beat out the throw, that also could have gone either way.

With the base open, UNCW elected to intentionally walk Thompson to load the bases for the next batter.  However, a grounder down the third base line turned into an inning ending double play to keep UNCW in front 3-2 with one frame left.

Vernon remained on the mound for the ninth inning and set the Seahawks down 1-2-3, striking out the last two to keep the deficit to one run.  Ramsey, who leads UNCW in both strikeouts and saves, struck out the side to earn his seventh save of the year to secure the comeback victory.

Magestro was the pitcher of record when UNCW picked up its three runs and saw his record improve to 4-2, while Vernon was saddled with the loss to fall to 2-4.

The Eagles will look to rebound Wednesday, April 8 as they travel down the road to Campbell University with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m.  The game will be aired live on the NCCU Sports Network, available at NCCUEaglePride.com.