SALISBURY, Md. – North Carolina Central University turned a one-run deficit into a six-run lead in the ninth inning as the Eagles scored seven runs on seven hits to advance past Delaware State University, 10-5 on Thursday, May 19 at Perdue Stadium.
 
With the win, the NCCU (25-28) moves on to see Southern Division number one seed Florida A&M University on Friday, May 20 in the winners' bracket.
 
The Eagles took a 2-0 lead through the first three innings with help from an RBI triple from Carlos Ortiz (Cleveland, Ohio) in the third frame.  DSU (13-35) stayed hot on the Eagles' heels and pulled ahead in the bottom of the fourth as the Hornets sent nine to the plate and scored three runs on five hits.
 
The Hornets tacked on another run on an errant pickoff throw in the sixth and held a 4-2 advantage going to the seventh.
 
The Eagles chipped away at the deficit with an RBI single from Bryant Battle (Greenville, N.C.) who knocked a team-high three hits, and NCCU went to the final frame down 4-3.
 
In need of a big rally, the Eagles got their first five hitters aboard safely, punctuated by a bases clearing go-ahead three-RBI double from Conrad Kovalcik (Detroit, Mich.).  Four batters later, Trevor Theissen (Franklin, Wisc.) delivered another three-RBI hit, this time the second triple of the game for the maroon and gray.
 
First pitch for the Eagles' game with FAMU is scheduled for noon, and the winner will advance to meet either Norfolk State University or Bethune-Cookman University.  The game will be carried live on the NCCU Sports Network, available at NCCUEaglePride.com, and live Twitter updates can be found by following @NCCUAthletics.
 
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.