DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – North Carolina Central University used a five-run sixth inning to edge Bethune-Cookman University 8-7 in the opener of Saturday's MEAC Southern Division baseball doubleheader at Jackie Robinson Park, before dropping the second game 12-2 to the Wildcats.
 
In game one, the Eagles broke open a 2-2 contest in the top of the sixth with four consecutive hits, including doubles by junior Timmy Fischvogt and freshman Alex Ortiz, followed by back-to-back walks, a hit-by-pitch and a balk, resulting in five NCCU runs.
 
The Wildcats plated three runs in the eighth inning to pull within one run of the Eagles, but sophomore closer Austin Vernon threw 1.1 scoreless innings to register the save. Ryan Miller tossed 6.1 innings with three strikeouts to earn the win for NCCU.
 
In game two, NCCU took a 2-0 advantage into the fourth frame, but Bethune-Cookman (8-12, 3-3 MEAC) posted four runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and five more in the seventh to avoid the weekend sweep.
 
Senior infielder Caleb Coyle collected three hits with an RBI on the day to top the Eagles.
 
NCCU (9-11, 3-3 MEAC) returns to action on Tuesday, March 19, when the Eagles visit Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.