CARY, N.C. — Appalachian State University scored 25 total runs on the way to an 8-0 and 17-0 doubleheader sweep of host North Carolina Central University in non-conference softball action Sunday afternoon at Thomas Brooks Park.
 
The Mountaineers improved to 10-4 overall after picking up their fourth and fifth straight wins. The Eagles fell to 0-12.
 
NC Central is next scheduled to play a series at Elon University on Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14.
 
GAME ONE: App State 8, NC Central 0 (6 Inn.)
 
A grand slam off the bat of freshman Kayt Houston capped a five-run sixth inning as the Mountaineers picked up the run-rule victory in the opener.
 
Graduate student Kenzie Longanecker tossed a complete-game gem for App State, allowing just two hits for her first shutout of the season. Longanecker (5-0) had five strikeouts.
 
Senior centerfielder Nadia Blevins had both of NCCU's hits with an infield single in the third and a base knock through the left side of the infield in the sixth.
 
GAME TWO: App State 17, NC Central 0
 
After two scoreless innings App State exploded for all of its runs in a three-inning span, including five runs in both the third and fourth innings before seven more Mountaineers scored in the fifth inning.
 
App State tallied 18 total hits. Freshman Emma Jones had the biggest performance with four hits, three runs scored and two RBI.
 
Freshman Delani Buckner (1-2) picked up her first collegiate win, holding the Eagles scoreless over five innings. Buckner had eight strikeouts and she also limited NCCU to just two hits.
 
The Eagles started back-to-back innings with singles in the third and fourth off the bats of seniors K'Lea Parks and Joirea Dumas, but Buckner settled down both frames to prevent a rally by the Eagles.