CHARLESTON, S.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team was defeated by Eastern Kentucky University, 3-0, and host Charleston Southern University, 8-4, in Saturday's action at the Buccaneer Invitational.
 
Freshman first baseman Aiyana Campbell led the Eagles with three hits on the day and sophomore third baseman Ava Dolan hit her second home run of the season.
 
NCCU (0-4) will play two more games in the Buccaneer Invite against Valparaiso (1 PM) and CSU (3 PM) on Sunday.
 
FINAL: Eastern Kentucky 3, N.C. Central 0
 
A three-run home run by senior center fielder Paige Murphy broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning and lifted the Colonels to the three-run victory. Murphy, who is a two-time Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) all-conference selection, belted the game winner to center field after sophomore Melissa Jacobsen singled and junior Destinee Lizzmore drew her third straight walk. Eastern Kentucky (4-3) moved back over .500 with the win.
 
NCCU senior starting pitcher Courtney Mirabella kept EKU at bay for the first five innings and struck out 10 in her complete-game performance. Mirabella (0-2) took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before freshman Zoe Mihalicz spoiled that bid with a leadoff single.
 
The Eagles outhit the Colonels, 5-3, with Campbell and fellow freshmen Jessica Powell and Aiyana Campbell both singling twice. Mirabella had NCCU's lone extra-base hit with a double in the second.
 
The maroon and gray had runners in scoring position in three different innings and stranded a total of six base runners. However, EKU freshman starter Samantha Reynoso and classmate Tori Peterson combined for the five-hit shutout. Peterson earned the win with two innings of scoreless relief of Peterson.
 
FINAL: Charleston Southern 8, N.C. Central 4
 
NCCU held leads of 1-0 and 3-2 before the Bucs exploded for five runs in the fourth inning and eventually double up the Eagles by four runs. Charleston Southern (5-2) ripped three doubles in the decisive frame.
 
An infield single by freshman Jacobia Johnson scored Dolan for NCCU's first run in the second. Dolan then reestablished a one-run edge for the visitors with a two-run blast to center in the third. Dolan leads NCCU with five RBI.
 
Mirabella, who led off the third inning with a single and a stolen base before scoring on Dolan's long ball, has hit safely in all four games.
 
CSU tallied 11 hits with five of them coming in consecutive at bats in the fourth. Junior Jade Gandara produced RBI-singles in both the third and fourth while sophomore Mallory Kasinger drilled a two-run double down the left-field line in the fourth.
 
Freshman Alyssa Heinrich secured the win in relief of starter Emily Visnic. Heinrich (3-1) allowed two runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings.
 
Junior Claire Eosso (0-2) tossed the first 3 1/3 innings for NCCU and senior Lauren Sitterson made her first appearance by hurling the final 2 2/3 innings. They both had one strikeout.