CARY, N.C. – North Carolina Central relied on pitching and timely hitting to complete a doubleheader sweep over visiting Maryland Eastern Shore on Senior Day at Thomas Brooks Park on Sunday. The scores were 4-2 in the first game and 4-0 in the second game.

The Eagles (10-28, 7-7 MEAC) climbed to fourth place in the MEAC standings with two weeks left in the regular season. The top six teams in the eight-team league qualify for the MEAC Tournament, which will be played May 7-10 in Norfolk, Va.

The day got off to a festive start as six Eagles were honored during the Senior Day pregame ceremony. The seniors were players Sydney Jones, Nyla Rodgers, Takia Nichols, Kia Borum, Jaden Davis and student trainer Anaja McArthur. UMES seniors McKenzie Abiley and Nola Mountain were also recognized.

After the pregame ceremony, the Eagles capped the day with two wins in front of the pro-NCCU crowd. Daiyah Bailey batted in two runs and Davis scattered five hits in seven innings to lead the Eagles to victory. Davis, the MEAC strikeout leader, fanned six batters and walked none.

The Eagles took a 3-0 lead in the second inning on Cameron Frye's RBI single and Bailey's two-run double. The Hawks (3-30, 2-12 MEAC) scored their only two runs in the third inning to pull within 3-2.

The score stayed that way until the sixth inning when Kendall Smith singled in a run. Davis closed the door on UMES in the top seventh by retiring the side.

Frye batted 2 of 3 with an RBI and one run scored for the Eagles, who totaled eight hits. Samaria Jackson was 2 of 3 with one run scored and Rodgers was 1 of 2 with one run scored.

In the second game, Elana Krupey and Simone Mack combined on a shutout and Wynter Williams drove in two runs in the Eagles' victory. Krupey hurled a six-strikeout three-hitter in five innings for the pitching win and Mack earned the save after throwing two scoreless innings.

The game was tied 0-0 through 4½ innings but Winters put the Eagles on the scoreboard in the bottom fifth with a sacrifice fly. The Eagles added three runs in the sixth on singles by Rodgers and Williams and a UMES throwing error for the final score. Mack finished off the UMES batters in the top seventh for the NCCU win.

Rodgers was 2 of 3 with an RBI and two runs scored for NCCU, which tallied nine hits. Borum batted 2 of 3 in the game.

The Eagles will hit the road next weekend in a MEAC three-game series against Delaware State. Both teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, April 18, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and a single game on Saturday, April 19, at noon.

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