CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina Central nearly erased a late five-run deficit but came up just short in an 8-7 softball loss to Rider in the Tar Heel Invitational at Anderson Stadium on Saturday night.

Tyler Suttles was 2 of 4 with two runs scored and Izabella Chavez batted 3 of 3 with an RBI and one run scored for the Eagles, who scored four runs in the sixth inning to trim an 8-3 deficit to 8-7.

The Eagles threatened again in the seventh inning with runners on first and second base with two outs but a groundout ended the game.

Led by Suttles and Chavez, NCCU tied a season high with eight hits including singles from Daiyah Bailey, Elana Krupey and Adriana Person. Mia De La Fuente, Kendal Daniels and Krupey in addition to Chavez each recorded an RBI. The seven runs are a season high for NCCU.

The Eagles spurted out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Bailey led off with a single and reached third on Suttles' bunt single. Chavez scored Bailey on an RBI single and RBI groundouts by De La Fuente and Daniels brought home Suttles and Chavez, respectively.

Rider responded with four runs in the bottom of the first to take a one-run lead. The Broncs expanded their margin to 8-3 in the third inning.

The score stayed that way until the sixth inning. Suttles and Chavez opened with consecutive singles and a sacrifice bunt by De La Fuente's moved both runners. With two outs in the sixth, Suttles scored on a wild pitch and Cameron Frye, pinch running for Chavez, scored on Krupey's single, pulling NCCU within 8-5. Krupey then reached second base on Person's single.

The key play of the inning was an outfield error that scored Krupey and Person to pull the Eagles within 8-7. The game-tying run was on second but a groundout ended the top of the sixth.

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