BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team brought the potential tying run up to bat in the bottom of the seventh, but a lunging catch by the second baseman on a line drive ended the Eagles threat as Furman University held on for a 6-3 victory in the opening game of the Red and Black Softball Tournament Friday morning.
 
The Paladins scored the first five runs of the game before the Eagles attempted their comeback late.
 
NCCU scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to close the final gap to three runs. The late rally featured an RBI fielder's choice by junior Nadia Blevins and a sacrifice fly by classmate Joirea Dumas. The Eagles still had two runners on base when senior cleanup hitter Dalika Wallace re-entered the game as the potential tying run at bat. Wallace made good contact on the ball, but the hot shot was snagged by the second baseman for the final out.
 
Furman (3-12) was led by sophomore Riley Ludlam, who drove in two runs on two hits. Ludlam drilled a solo home run to start the bottom of the fifth for the final Paladin run.
 
Sophomore starting pitcher Bailey Tanner took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before freshman Maegan Garrison broke up that bid with a well-struck double to the gap in left field. A few batters later, Garrison scored NCCU's first run on a single by sophomore Madison Mifsud. Tanner (2-5), who pitched the first five innings, was able to end the Eagles threat with her third strikeout in earning the win.
 
The Paladins finished with a slight 6-5 edge in hits, but two errors by the Eagles aided in Furman scoring three unearned runs.
 
Dumas matched Garrison with a double while senior Tamiera Sanchez and junior Jacobia Johnson joined Mifsud for NCCU's other singles.
 
NC Central (0-10) continues play in the Red and Black Tournament by playing host Gardner-Webb University no earlier than 2 p.m. Friday.