WASHINGTON, D.C. – North Carolina Central led early but fell 8-5 to Howard in the third game of the opening MEAC series at Nationals Youth Academy on Sunday.

Takia Nichols batted 2 of 4 with a home run, double, two RBIs and one run scored for the Eagles, who led in two of the three losses against Howard in the weekend series. Tyler Suttles was 2 of 4 with a triple and two RBIs and Daiyah Bailey was 2 of 4 with an RBI and one run scored.

NCCU (3-23, 0-3 MEAC) tied Howard with nine hits but stranded 10 runners on base. Howard (9-13, 3-0 MEAC) left three on base.

The Eagles struck first in the first inning on Nichols' RBI double. Howard responded with three runs in the bottom first.

NCCU re-took the lead at 4-3 in the second inning and 5-4 in the third inning. Bailey hit an RBI single and Suttles smacked a two-run triple in the second inning. Nichols had a solo homer in the third inning, her second in the series.

The lead held up until the fourth inning. The Bison scored four runs on three hits and three Eagles' errors in the inning to complete the scoring. Howard finished the game with two errors.

Cameron Frye batted 2 of 4 with one run scored for the Eagles. Makiya Graves and Nyla Rodgers each scored a run and Samaria Jackson hit a double. For Howard, Angel Riggins batted 2 of 2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

The Eagles visit East Carolina for the second time this season on Tuesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. The game will be livestreamed on ESPN+.

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