TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – North Carolina Central University ended a 14-game losing skid against Florida A&M University by winning both games of Saturday's MEAC softball doubleheader at the FAMU Softball Complex.
In game one, NCCU out-hit the Rattlers 11-to-4 for a 4-1 victory, while the Eagles rallied from a four-run deficit to claim game two, 8-5. The Saturday sweep lifts NCCU's record to 3-16 overall and 2-0 in the MEAC, while FAMU drops to 1-17 overall and 1-5 in league play.
Prior to Saturday, NCCU's last softball victory over Florida A&M occurred on April 18, 2015.
The conference foes will square off again on Sunday, March 28, in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. at the FAMU Softball Complex.
GAME ONE: N.C. Central 4, Florida A&M 1
NCCU senior pitcher
Kiara Hurley held Florida A&M to just one run on four hits with a pair of strikeouts and no walks to earn the win.
Freshman outfielder
Imara Harrell hit 4-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base to spark the Eagles offensively. Harrell is just the sixth Eagle with four hits in a game during NCCU's Division I era, dating back to the 2008 season.
NCCU sophomore shortstop
Maegan Garrison and junior catcher
Madison Mifsud contributed two hits apiece, while freshman second baseman
Hailey Batista added a two-RBI double.
For the Rattlers, shortstop Seriah Brokenborough and outfielder Zaria Hall registered two hits each.
After three scoreless innings, NCCU lit the scoreboard with two runs in the fourth frame and two more in the sixth for a 4-0 lead. FAMU tallied its lone run in the sixth inning.
GAME TWO: N.C. Central 8, Florida A&M 5
Florida A&M amassed four runs in the first inning to make an opening statement in the nightcap. NCCU responded with a run in the second and four more in the fourth to take a 5-4 lead.
The Rattlers answered back with a run in the bottom of the fourth to even the score at 5-5, but the Eagles regained the advantage with a run in the fifth and added two insurance runs in the seventh for an 8-5 victory.
NCCU recorded nine hits, but three FAMU errors resulted in four unearned runs to aid the Eagles.
Harrell remained hot at the plate for the Eagles in game two, collecting two hits with an RBI and scoring three times. Garrison posted two more hits in the nightcap with a triple and two runs scored, while senior
Tamiera Sanchez also registered a pair of hits with an RBI and a run scored, and senior
Nadia Blevins drove in two runs.
Game two starter
Caroline Campbell allowed just three earned runs with three strikeouts in four innings of work to pick up her second win of the season for the Eagles. Hurley pitched three scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts to record the save.
FAMU was topped by second baseman Anizya Vargas with two hits and two RBI.
