CARY, N.C. – North Carolina Central University made a late rally and brought the potential tying run to the plate in the last inning, but Youngstown State University held on for a 6-4 victory in the second game of a softball doubleheader after claiming a 3-0 shutout win in the opener on Tuesday at Thomas Brooks Park.
 
Youngstown State (3-10) scored three runs in the first inning of the nightcap, then added another run in the second frame and two more in the fifth for a 6-0 cushion.
 
However, NCCU (6-13) exploded for four runs in the sixth inning, including a one-out RBI hit by sophomore Jacobia Johnson and a two-run single by senior Aleyah Evans, but the Eagles left a pair of runners stranded in scoring position.
 
In the bottom of the seventh inning, NCCU brought two batters to the dish after a one-out walk with a chance to even the score, but YSU relief pitcher Paige Geanangel forced a groundout and a fly ball to end the game and earn the save. YSU starting pitcher Elle Buffenbarger registered six strikeouts in 5.1 innings to earn the win.
 
In the first contest, the visiting Penguins plated a run in each of the first three innings, which proved to be plenty of run support for YSU pitcher Addy Jarvis, who struck out nine batters in the complete game shutout victory.
 
NCCU junior Dalika Wallace reached base three times with a single, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Senior pitcher Claire Eosso tossed a complete game for the Eagles, scattering eight hits and allowing just two earned runs with three strikeouts.
 
Sophomore Nadia Blevins contributed a hit in each game for NCCU.
 
The Eagles return to Thomas Brooks Park on Friday, March 15 to host Maryland Eastern Shore for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Admission is free.