GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina Central University left it late, but the Eagles pulled out an 8-6 win to open their series with North Carolina A&T State University at War Memorial Stadium on Friday, March 11.

There were plenty of runs to be had in this one as NC A&T (3-11, 0-1 MEAC) picked up three runs in the bottom of the first with help from an RBI double from Adan Ordonez (Clermont, Fla.).

NCCU (8-7, 1-0 MEAC) then strung together back-to-back walks in the top of the second and John Ortiz (Fayetteville, N.C.) hit an RBI double of his own to start the scoring for the Eagles.  A sacrifice fly from Thomas Prospero (Batavia, N.Y.) drove in the third run of the frame to tie it up at 3-3 after an inning and a half.

NC A&T moved right back in front on a two-run shot to right from Kennan Herring (Willow Springs, N.C.) in the bottom of the third, making the score 5-3.  The Eagles would get a run back in the top of the fifth, but NC A&T stretched lead back to two runs in the bottom of the frame at 6-4.

The Eagles rallied to tie the game again in the top of the sixth after Prospero doubled and was brought in on a sacrifice fly from Trevor Theissen (Franklin, Wisc.) to level the game at 6-6.

From that point it was a game for the bullpens to deal with.  Jamar Hinton (Petersburg, Va.) turned in a strong shift in middle relief by pitching two and two-thirds of an inning without allowing a run with three strikeouts.  Justice Sampson (Lumberton, N.C.) stepped into a jam in the bottom of the eighth but was able to force a critical double play with the bases full to keep the score locked at 6-6 heading to the ninth.

Ellington Hopkins (Lansing, N.Y.) came up with a big defensive play in the bottom of the eighth as well with a leaping grab in left field that potentially kept a runner on second from coming in to score.  After keeping a run off the board, he put the game winner on for NCCU in the top of the ninth by sending home Theissen after his leadoff double.

Christian Triplett (Wilkesboro, N.C.) brought Hopkins in to score on a sacrifice fly for some insurance for Andrew Vernon (Raleigh, N.C.) as he was called upon for the final three outs.

Vernon struck out the first two on eight pitches, and tied up the game with a groundball.

The Eagles return to Greensboro on Saturday, March 12 for a doubleheader to close out the series beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Both games of the doubleheader will be carried live on the NCCU Sports Network available at NCCUEaglePride.com and live updates can be found on the official Twitter account of NCCU Athletics, @NCCUAthletics.

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