WILMINGTON, N.C. – For the second consecutive game North Carolina Central University was able to get the tying run into the mix in the ninth inning, but UNC Wilmington was able to come away with the win in game one of the weekend series, 3-0 on Friday, April 7 at Brooks Field.
Alex Royalty (Raleigh, N.C.) started the game by setting down the first 10 batters in order for UNCW (12-16) and the Seahawks took a 1-0 lead behind him with an RBI single in the bottom of the second.
NCCU (15-16) was able to get runners into scoring position in the fourth and fifth innings with a double from
Evan Holland (Erial, N.J.) in the fourth and then back-to-back hits to lead off the fifth.
Jake Raby (Granite Falls, N.C.) led off with a single and
Dominic Cuevas (Gurnee, Ill.) followed with a double to put runners on second and third, but they were held by strong pitching and defense from UNCW.
The second run on the board for the Seahawks came on a solo home run to left field from Kennard McDowell (Darlington, S.C.) in the bottom of the fifth.
Devin Sweet (Greensboro, N.C.) struck out five for his second consecutive appearance with just two earned runs for the Eagles.
UNCW got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Mason Berne (Southport, N.C.) picked up his third hit and second RBI of the game to put the Seahawks ahead 3-0. NCCU led off the top of the ninth with back to back hits from
Carter Williams (Brown Summit, N.C.) and Holland to bring the tying run to the plate, but Austin Easter (Sparta, N.C.) held on for his first career save.
Williams was able to stretch his hit-streak to 12 games with his leadoff infield single, and Holland picked up his second hit of the game in the ninth as well.
Royalty pitched eight complete innings for the Seahawks, and tallied a career-high 12 strikeouts with just three hits allowed for the win.
The Eagles will look to bounce back to level the series against UNCW in game two at the Durham Athletic Park on Saturday, April 8 with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Admission is free.
