DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University sent 21 men to the plate and batted around twice in the first two innings, and batted around a third time to defeat Norfolk State. 18-5 on Senior Day on Friday, May 10 at the Durham Athletic Park.
 
NCCU (20-28) reached a new season-high in scoring with those 18 runs, surpassing the 15 scored at Bethune-Cookman on March 5 in a 15-5 win, and also secured a fourth consecutive season with 20 wins.
 
The Eagles got going early as they sent 10 men to the plate and scored six runs on six hits, including an RBI double from Caleb Coyle (Wake Forest, N.C.) and a two-RBI single from Bryceson Hernandez (Cary, N.C.).  NCCU kept rolling in the second frame as it brought 11 batters to the dish to score six more runs with an RBI single from Vinny Bailey (Raleigh, N.C.) and by capitalizing on defensive miscues from NSU (22-23), sending the home side ahead 12-2 after the first two innings.
 
The Spartans didn't go away quietly as they amassed six extra base hits, including a solo home run from Caleb Ward (Hampton, Va.) in the top of the sixth inning, but shortly after that the Eagles batted around once more in the bottom of the seventh.
 
NCCU took 12 turns at the plate this time around, and once again scored six runs with help from a two-RBI single from Carter Williams (Brown Summit, N.C.) as he knocked three hits to reach 196 career hits.
 
Senior Andrew King (Greensboro, N.C.) got the call for his first career start and was the pitcher of record in his second win of the year and his career.  Chris Kernen (Greensboro, N.C.) stepped in from the bullpen to make an appearance in his senior day, and he tossed six strong innings with three strikeouts and no walks.  Ryan Decker (Fletcher, N.C.) came in to pitch the final out of the contest and he finished the game with a strikeout in just three pitches as he made his 29th appearance of the year to set a new modern era single-season record at NCCU.
 
Williams was one of four Eagles to pick up three hits, and he added three RBI to his line as well.  Hernandez picked up three hits and three RBI as well, and Nick Fajardo (Durham, N.C.) had a trio of hits with two walks.  Vinny Bailey (Raleigh, N.C.) was the fourth Eagle with three knocks, and he collected two RBI.  Both Coyle and Josh Brammell (Harrison City, Pa.) picked up two hits, and Coyle finished with three RBI on his senior day.
 
The Eagles are scheduled to finish the season on Saturday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m. against Norfolk State at the Durham Athletic Park.  Admission is free.