ELON, N.C. – North Carolina Central showed potential despite two losses at the Elon Softball Classic at Hunt Softball Park on Thursday, Feb. 6.
NCCU was in a tight battle with Ohio until the fifth inning in an 8-0 loss. In the second game, the Eagles fell behind early but showed no quit despite falling 14-5 to UNC Greensboro in five innings.
Thursday was the start of a month-long, tough non-conference schedule for the Eagles. By the time MEAC play rolls around in March, NCCU will be battle-tested.
In the first game, the Eagles held their own against Ohio through four innings. The score was 2-0 before Ohio reeled off six runs in the fifth inning.
Senior pitcher
Jaden Davis limited Ohio to two runs on four hits in the first four innings before the Bobcats struck in the fifth. The Eagles had the most hits (5-4) until the fifth but stranded eight runners on base. The bases were loaded in the first inning with one out but Ohio managed to escape without allowing a run.
Outfielders
Tyler Suttles and
Kendall Smith each batted 2-for-3 at the plate for the Eagles. First baseman
Takia Nichols went 1-for-1 and walked twice.
In the second game, the Eagles settled down after falling behind 6-0 after two innings. Freshman right fielder
Daiyah Bailey provided a spark for the Eagles in the third inning. She reached second base on an error and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Smith drove Bailey home on a sacrifice fly to left field for the Eagles' first run.
UNCG expanded its lead to 14-1 in the fourth inning but the Eagles played hard until the final out. Led by Smith's two-run double, NCCU scored four runs in the fifth for the final score.
Takia Nichols added an RBI groundout and
Kristin Corner scored on a fielders' choice.
Smith finished with three RBIs for the Eagles. Defensively, she tracked down and caught several line drives in left field.
Shortstop
Makiya Graves turned a double play in the second inning. She made a nice grab and stepped on second base before throwing to first to end the inning.
Suttles, playing centerfield, made the highlight reel play of the game. The Eagles' sophomore chased down and caught a deep shot against the wall.
The Eagles will continue their goal of improving each game on Friday at the Elon Classic. They will clash against Power Four school Ohio State at 12 p.m.
