DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to vault its way to a win over defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division champion Norfolk State, 8-4 on Wednesday, April 27 at the Durham Athletic Park.
 
NSU (21-15) took the lead first in the top of the third with three runs, but NCCU (18-25) sent nine men to the plate in the bottom of the frame to score five runs and to take the lead for the remainder of the game.
 
The Eagles brought home the first run of the inning on a walk, before a pair of two-RBI hits put NCCU ahead.  Jake Raby (Granite Falls, N.C.) tied the game with a two-run double, and directly after him Zach Michalski (Belews Creek, N.C.) knocked a two-RBI single.
 
Michalski delivered once again in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run laser to left field to give the Eagles some breathing room, and Andrew Valichka (Pedricktown, N.J.) struck the final blow for the hosts with a solo homer of his own in the bottom of the sixth.
 
NCCU returns to MEAC Southern Division play this weekend against Savannah State on Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the DAP.  Admission is free.