DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team was held to just two hits off the bats of sophomores Jessica Powell and Jacobia Johnson in an 8-0 non-conference loss at local Duke University Tuesday afternoon.
 
Freshman second baseman Deja Davis led the Blue Devils with four hits, three stolen bases, two runs scored and a walk-off RBI. Duke scored its eight runs on a season-high 11 hits.
 
The Blue Devils were able to scratch out one run in each of the first three innings off NCCU sophomore starter Kiara Hurley. Davis was the catalyst to the early scoring as she singled, stole second and touched home plate in both the first and third innings.
 
Hurley kept Duke off the board for the next two innings, but the Blue Devils were then able to explode for five runs on five hits to end the game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. The frame featured three extra-base hits, including the game-ending RBI double by Davis to right field.
 
Powell led off the game with a single over the third-base bag. The Lady Eagles would not collect another hit until Johnson laced a clean single to center with one out in the sixth.
 
Sophomore Peyton St. George (1-0) tossed the complete-game shutout for Duke with seven strikeouts.
 
NCCU's best chance at scoring came in the top of the fifth. Junior Dalika Wallace drew a lead-off walk. A Duke throwing error on the next ball put in play by classmate Tamiera Sanchez put two Lady Eagles in scoring position with no outs. However, St. George used a pair of strikeouts around a batter out-of-the-box interference call to wiggle out of the jam.
 
The second-year Duke softball program leveled its season record at 5-5. Four of the Blue Devils' five losses have been against nationally ranked teams.
 
NC Central (1-6) will next play four games in the Wings Etc. Classic hosted by USC Upstate, beginning with a matchup against Robert Morris University on Saturday at 11 a.m.