CARY, N.C. – Freshman third baseman Ava Dolan drilled three hits to highlight play for host North Carolina Central University in a doubleheader split against fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe Hampton University in the Lady Eagles home debut at Thomas Brooks Park Monday afternoon.
 
Senior pitcher Dominique Wilson held the Pirates to just one earned run as NCCU doubled up Hampton, 4-2, in the first game. Junior Lauren Sitterson pitched nearly as well, allowing just two earned runs in the nightcap, but the Pirates scored three unearned runs on four Eagle errors and then held on to salvage a split with a 5-3 victory.
 
NCCU (2-13 Overall) next plays in the Liberty University Classic in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Friday-Sunday, March 10-12.
 
GAME ONE: N.C. Central 4, Hampton 2
 
Wilson (2-7) picked up her second win with a complete-game performance. She scattered five hits over seven innings with four strikeouts while holding Hampton to just two runs (one earned). Wilson also tallied her first triple of the season (second of her career).
 
Sophomore starter Allyson Babinsack pitched well for the visitors, but three Pirate errors led to a pair of NCCU unearned runs.
 
The Lady Eagles jumped ahead 3-0 with a run in the first and two more in the second with the benefit of just one hit (Wilson's triple). Two walks, two errors, a stolen base, a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch aided in NCCU's early run production.
 
A leadoff double by freshman Taylor Warrick led to Hampton's first run as she later scored on a dropped fly ball in the third inning. However, an RBI single by sophomore Janeen Reynolds, that deflected off Babinsack and into center field, regained a three-run edge for the Lady Eagles.
 
The Pirates plated their second and final run in the fifth with a two-out rally with three consecutive hits. Wilson ended the threat with a fly out and then did not give up a hit in the sixth and seventh innings to finish out the two-run victory.
 
Dolan went 1-for-2 with a walk, single, stolen base and run scored.
 
GAME TWO: Hampton 5, N.C. Central 3
 
Hampton's first three batters scored because of NCCU errors and then sophomore starter Allie Hotetz was able to limit the Lady Eagles to just three runs in the fourth.
 
After just two pitches in the game the Pirates had two base runners because of a pair of NCCU infield errors. Junior Quierra Bradford drove in the first unearned run with a single and she later scored the third unearned run of the opening frame.
 
Bradford reached base in all four of her plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with two walks, which led to three Hampton runs. Bradford scored twice on RBI-groundouts, with the second one giving the Pirates a 4-nil advantage in the third.
 
NCCU fought back with a three-run fourth. Senior catcher Kim Mobley led off with single to left. She later scored on a poke down the right field line by senior first baseman Jennifer Allison. Pinch runners Danyelle Noland and Erykah Smith touched home for the Lady Eagles' final runs on two more singles off the bats of Dolan and sophomore outfielder Aleyah Evans.
 
After NCCU inched to within one at 4-3, Hotetz retired the 10 Lady Eagle batters in order to end the hosts comeback chances and Hampton added an insurance run in the seventh.
 
Dolan had two maroon and gray hits, but all five base knocks allowed by Hotetz (2-3) were singles as she earned her second win.
 
Sitterson (0-4) took the tough luck loss despite only two of her five runs allowed over seven innings being earned. She matched Wilson with four strikeouts.