Box Score DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – North Carolina Central University junior Corey Joyce, last year's MEAC Baseball Player of the Year and the preseason pick for the same award, showed on Friday in a 15-5 win over Bethune-Cookman University why he is deserving of the recognition. The shortstop broke the NCCU single-game modern era record with six hits, including a three-run home run, to finish with four RBI and four runs scored in the Eagles' conference road triumph.
 
Bethune-Cookman (7-11, 2-2 MEAC) held a 1-0 advantage through three innings, before the visiting Eagles took charge by exploding for 13 unanswered runs during the next five innings. NCCU's scoring streak included a run in the fourth frame, four runs in the fifth, five in the sixth and three more in the eighth.
 
The host Wildcats responded with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Eagles crossed the plate two more times in the top of the ninth to finish the scoring.  
 
NCCU (8-10, 2-2 MEAC) pounded out 15 hits, including four doubles and a pair of home runs. NCCU senior infielder Caleb Coyle joined Joyce in hitting the long ball, the third of the campaign for each, while junior outfielder Carter Williams registered a pair of doubles to bring his season total to seven. Junior outfielder Vinny Bailey contributed two hits and three RBI.
 
NCCU sophomore starting pitcher Austin Vernon threw two hitless innings with four strikeouts before handing it off to junior Chris Kernen, who finished the final seven innings to pick up the win.
 
The two MEAC Southern Division foes reunite on the diamond on Saturday, March 16 at 4 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida.