Box Score
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University threatened the lead in the late innings, but ultimately were unable to get the critical runs home as NCCU fell 4-2 to Morehead State on Sunday, Feb. 21 at the Durham Athletic Park.

Carlos Ortiz (Cleveland, Ohio) doubled with two outs in the bottom of the first inning and eventually scored on a passed ball to give NCCU (0-3) its first lead of the weekend at 1-0.  MSU (3-0) fired back in the top of the second with a pair of sacrifice flies to go up 2-1 and it would keep the advantage for the rest of the game.

Will Schneider (Springfield, Ill.) muscled a two-run homer into center field for insurance for MSU in the top of the fifth, and Conrad Kovalcik (Detroit, Mich.) returned the favor for NCCU with a solo shot that banged off the warehouse in dead-center as well to push the score to 4-2 through five complete frames.

Andrew Vernon (Raleigh, N.C.) struck out three-straight batters in relief and worked out of a jam in the top of the seventh to keep NCCU close, and the maroon and gray had a big opportunity in the bottom of the eighth as Kovalcik started the inning with a double to center field.  Kovalcik had a big day at the dish with three hits and an RBI.

NCCU was able to put runners on second and third with just one out and an opportunity to tie or take the lead, but Tyler Keele (Clayton, N.C.) was called in for MSU to pick up the last two outs of the inning on the way to his first save of the year.

Alex Dandridge (Arlington, Texas) only allowed three hits over five full innings, but he was saddled with the loss, and Aaron Leasher (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) fanned eight batters on his way to the win.

NCCU heads on the road to High Point on Tuesday, Feb. 23 before returning to the DAP for a four-game set with Niagara University beginning on Friday, Feb. 26.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.