CARY, N.C. – Superb pitching and timely hitting keyed North Carolina Central's softball doubleheader sweep over Coppin State at Thomas Brooks Park on Saturday. The Eagles took down Coppin State 2-0 in the first contest and 8-1 in the second game.

The victories in the MEAC opener upped the Eagles' record to 2-0 in the conference and 3-21 overall while Coppin State dropped to 0-2 and 1-9.

Pitchers Madeline Janssen and Elana Krupey were masterful on the mound, limiting Coppin State to four hits combined in two games. Janssen fired a two-hit shutout with three strikeouts in a complete seven-inning effort in the opener for her first pitching win this season. Krupey followed with a two-hitter of her own, striking out five and allowing no earned runs in seven innings to gain her second victory. Neither pitcher gave up a walk in the twinbill.

Led by Mia De La Fuente and Izabella Chavez, NCCU totaled 18 hits including a season-high 12 in the second contest. Mia De La Fuente batted 4 of 7 with three RBIs and Chavez finished 3 of 5 with a triple, double and three runs scored.

Chavez ignited the Eagles in the first game with a triple to deep right field in the first inning. She later scored from third base when De La Fuente reached on an error for a 1-0 Eagles' lead.

The Eagles scored their second run in the fourth inning when Janea Hudson delivered a single that scored Wynter Williams, who pinch ran for De La Fuente after she led the inning with a single. That was all the support Janssen needed as she befuddled the Coppin State batters.

Chavez finished 1 of 2 with one run scored to pace the Eagles. She was one of six Eagles who recorded a hit including Daiyah Bailey, Kendal Daniels, De La Fuente, Sierra Soto and Hudson.

Coppin State continued to struggle offensively in the second game against Krupey, who held the visitors to one hit through the first five innings.

Meanwhile, the Eagles scored five runs in the fifth inning to take a commanding seven-run lead. The key hit came from Soto, who ripped a two-run double that scored Chavez and Cameron Frye, who pitch ran for De La Fuente after De La Fuente smacked an RBI single that brought home Daniels.

De La Fuente was 3 of 4 with three RBIs to lead the NCCU offense. Chavez batted 2 of 3 with a double and two runs scored and Hudson was 2 of 3 with an RBI and one run scored. Kristin Corner delivered an RBI sacrifice fly and Daniels crossed the plate twice.

Hannah McGonigle collected a hit and scored once and Avrelle Harrell batted 2 of 3 while Isabella Slape was 1 of 2.

NEXT UP
Both teams meet again Sunday, March 15, at Thomas Brooks Park in the final game of the series. First pitch is 4 p.m. due to a marathon taking place in Cary, N.C.

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