GREENSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University softball team dropped a pair of close games in the final day of the UNCG Spartan Classic on Sunday, falling to Rutgers University, 4-1, in the morning before losing the finale to UNC Greensboro, 8-6, in the afternoon.
The Lady Eagles (0-16) will make their home debut on Wednesday against Charlotte with the non-conference tilt slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch at Parkwood Athletic Field.
Rutgers 4, N.C. Central 1 NCCU junior
Jenny Tracy drove in freshman
Aleyah Evans to tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the third but the Scarlet Knights would quickly regain the lead with an unearned run in the home half of the frame and Rutgers (5-12) did not relinquish the lead a second time in prevailing by three runs.
The Maroon and Gray had five hits – all singles – by five different Lady Eagles. Evans led off the third with her base knock to center and moved into scoring position on an infield single by sophomore
Danyelle Noland before scoring on a fielder's choice RBI by Tracy.
Senior
Markell Wylie, senior
Casey Hargett and Tracy led off the first, fourth and sixth innings, respectively, but NCCU was unable to capitalize any of those three opportunities.
A two-run homer by catcher Elizabeth Adams added a pair of insurance runs for the Scarlet Knights in the sixth. Rutgers had seven total hits with Adams and first baseman Bridget Carr both hitting safely twice apiece.
Senior
London Booker hurled a complete-game for the Lady Eagles but took the loss with four runs allowed (three earned) on seven hits. Booker did fan a season-high six batters in her eighth appearance and fifth start.
UNCG 8, N.C. Central 6 NCCU belted out a season-high 11 hits but nine Lady Eagles were left stranded on base and UNCG (10-9) smashed four home runs to squeak out the two-run triumph.
Senior
Kayleigh Brueck hammered NCCU's first home run of the season in the third, a two-run shot to left field to highlight the visitors output. Brueck also drove in a run in the first with a single to finish with three RBI.
Wylie led the Lady Eagles with three hits atop the lineup. Noland followed with two singles and two runs scored.
The Lady Eagles led 2-0 after the top of the first and 3-1 after batting in the second but the Spartans pounded out five runs in the home half of the second to take a 6-3 advantage.
NCCU kept fighting, and after Brueck's homer in the third, an RBI-groundout by Hargett in the fourth leveled the score at 6-all.
However, solo blasts by Nicole Thomas in the fourth and Sidney Grkman in the fifth tallied the go-ahead and insurance runs UNCG needed for the victory. Thomas hit a pair of solo homers on the day and a three-run blast by Lindsay Thomas in the second was the Spartans first of four long balls over the fence.
NCCU used four pitchers in the contest with Booker taking the loss in 3 1/3 innings of relief work.
