DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – North Carolina Central University ran into strong pitching from Bethune-Cookman, as the Wildcats took both games of the doubleheader, 5-0 and 6-0 on Saturday, April 21 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
 
GAME ONE: NCCU (22-20, 7-10 MEAC) and BCU (16-24, 10-7 MEAC) were locked in a tight battle over the first three innings, with both teams just picking up two hits.  The Wildcats broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fourth as they found a way to pull ahead on a two-RBI double from Michael Deeb (Davie, Fla.). 
 
BCU added three more in the bottom of the sixth, including another RBI single from Deeb who finished the first game with three RBI.  NCCU picked up nine hits over the contest, but BCU starter Tyler Norris (Coral Springs, Fla.) was able to avoid trouble by striking out 11 without a walk.
 
The Eagles strung together a rally in the top of the ninth as they loaded the bases with two outs, but a flyout allowed the hosts to take the first game.
 
GAME TWO: BCU took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first after a pair of RBI singles from Deeb and Jordan Stacy (Jacksonville, Fla.), and that gave Anthony Maldonado (West Palm Beach, Fla.) the cushion he needed as he didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning.
 
The Wildcats found two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI single and a squeeze bunt laid down by Adonis Lao (Elmhurst, N.Y.) to take a 4-0 lead.  BCU had another two-run inning in the bottom of the fifth, as Lao knocked a two-RBI single to move the Wildcats ahead, 6-0.
 
NCCU had opportunities to get on the board in the fourth and fifth frames as they were able to get runners in scoring positions, but each time the Wildcats were able to get double plays to cut the innings short.
 
Maldonado went the distance in game two, allowing just three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts to help the Wildcats take the doubleheader.
 
Game three of the series is scheduled for Sunday, April 22 at 1:00 p.m.