DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University junior pitcher Devin Sweet recorded eight strikeouts and allowed just one earned run in six innings on the mound, but a pair of unearned runs cost the Eagles in a 3-1 setback against Iona College on Friday at the Durham Athletic Park.
 
Sweet and Iona starter Bill Maier were locked up in a scoreless pitchers' duel through five innings. In the top of the sixth, Sweet hit leadoff batter Matt Byrne, who then stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Niko Switalla. An infield error kept the inning alive, and Switalla later scored on a single by Alex Beckett to give the Gaels a 2-0 lead.
 
Jake McCort replaced Sweet on the mound in the seventh inning. Another infield error allowed Switalla to drive in his second run of the day to provide the visitors with a 3-0 cushion.
 
NCCU threatened in the ninth as Ellington Hopkins led off the inning with a walk and later scored on a groundout by Dominic Cuevas. The Eagles brought the potential game-tying run to the plate, but Iona pitcher Jared Finkel registered the final out and picked up the save.
 
Maier recorded the victory in the Gaels season-opener, allowing just four hits in seven scoreless innings of work. Sweet took the loss for the Eagles.
 
Leftfielder Mitch McCrary topped the NCCU offense with a pair of singles.
 
NCCU (2-3) and Iona (1-0) play game two of the three-game weekend series on Saturday (Feb. 25) at 1 p.m. Admission to Durham Athletic Park is free.