KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – North Carolina Central dropped a 6-0 softball decision to nationally-ranked Penn State at the Tennessee Invitational on Friday in a game that was close until the sixth inning.

In the first game, NCCU fell to Appalachian State 9-0 in five innings. Both games were played at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

The Eagles trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning against Penn State, ranked 24^th in the Softball America poll and 25^th in the D1Softball Top 25 poll. The Nittany Lions broke the game open with five runs on five hits in the inning.

NCCU pitcher Madeline Janssen had a solid outing on the mound despite the loss. She held Penn State (14-2 overall) to three hits and one run through five innings. Overall, Janssen scattered eight hits, collected five strikeouts and walked five over six innings.

The contest was scoreless through the first three frames. In the top of the fourth, Tyler Suttles of NCCU singled with one out and reached second base on a fielding error but the Eagles couldn't capitalize. Penn State responded with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth for a 1-0 lead.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Daiyah Bailey of NCCU smacked a double to left field but the Nittany Lions escaped the inning on a flyout. Penn State took charge in the bottom of the sixth to gain the win.

The Eagles (1-14 overall) regrouped against Penn State after a morning loss to Appalachian State in the tournament opener. Suttles and Kendall Daniels each registered a hit for the Eagles.

The Mountaineers (12-2 overall) extended a 2-0 lead with five runs in the fourth inning. They plated two runs in the fifth for the final score.

NEXT UP
The Eagles are back in action Saturday at the Tennessee Invitational. They face Appalachian State again at 10 a.m. and top-ranked Tennessee at 5:30 p.m. The NCCU-Tennessee game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.