DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University posted four runs in the second inning to go ahead of High Point 5-1, but the Panthers then scored seven unanswered runs to take a 10-7 win over the Eagles on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Durham Athletic Park.
 
NCCU (0-4) struck first as Luis DeLeon (Providence, R.I.) ripped an RBI double down the left field line in the bottom of the first to send the hosts ahead 1-0, but HPU (4-0) immediately tied the game on a double from Justin Ebert (Fayetteville, N.C.) in the top of the second.
 
The Eagles surged ahead in the bottom of the second frame after scoring four runs, all with two outs.  The rally was started on an RBI single by Michael Alicea (Toa-Alta, Puerto Rico), followed by a two-RBI base hit by Nick Fajardo (Durham, N.C.).  The scoring was capped by an RBI ground-rule double by DeLeon as he picked up his second double of the game to put the Eagles in front, 5-1.
 
HPU started its comeback in the top of the third with two runs, including a home run by Adam Stuart (Raleigh, N.C.), and then pulled into the lead in the top of the fourth by scoring five runs after sending nine men to the plate to move the score to 8-5 in favor of the guests.
 
The Eagles trimmed the lead down to two a couple of times in the closing frames, but the Panthers were able to respond and come away with a 10-7 victory.
 
DeLeon went collected three hits with those two doubles and two RBI, and Myles Coston (Pittsburg, Calif.) knocked a pair of singles.  Both Coston and Alicea have now picked up a hit in each of the first four games of the season.  Scott Meylan (Pittsburg, Calif.) made an impressive showing in relief as he pitched four complete frames with seven strikeouts.
 
Joe Johnson (Benson, N.C.) led the Panthers with two hits and a home run, and recorded three RBI.
 
NCCU will play its first road game of the season next, as the Eagles travel to Davidson on Wednesday, Feb. 19.  The Eagles return home on Friday, Feb. 21 to host Niagara at the Durham Athletic Park.