DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University saw Norfolk State take the lead on a squeeze play in the eighth inning and the tying run left on third in the bottom of the ninth as the Spartans took a 4-3 decision over the Eagles on Wednesday, April 11 at the Durham Athletic Park.
 
NCCU (20-16) took the lead by scoring first in the bottom of the second inning after back-to-back RBI singles from Evan Holland (Erial, N.J.) and Carter Williams (Brown Summit, N.C.) to take a 2-0 lead.  NSU (10-19) then scored the next three to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth on a two-run home run from Khie Simms (Chesterfield, Va.).
 
Jacob Raby (Granite Falls, N.C.) leveled the game in the bottom of the fifth on a deep RBI double to left-center, to set up a tense finish for the contest.  Nick Caregnato (Buena, N.J.) kept the game level at 3-3 as he pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, and tied his career-high with seven strikeouts.
 
The most interesting moment of the game came in the top of the eighth when the Spartans had runners on the corners with one out.  NSU attempted to bring the runner home on a squeeze play, but the pitch was out of the zone and the runner was caught in a run down.  Tony Leite (Hampton, Va.) was able to avoid the tag and slide in safely at home to give NSU a 4-3 lead, however the runner from first was thrown out trying to take third during the run down, preventing more runs in the inning.
 
For the second consecutive game, the Eagles were able to get the tying run in the mix as a runner was able to make it to third with two outs, but Joey Santos (Hampton, Va.) was able to get his fourth save of the year as the Spartans held on for the win.
 
NCCU returns to MEAC Southern Division play on Saturday, April 14 to start a three-game series with North Carolina A&T with a doubleheader that will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Durham Athletic Park.  Admission is free.