CARY, N.C. – North Carolina Central amassed 22 hits but fell 17-7 and 10-1 to South Carolina State in a MEAC softball doubleheader at Thomas Brooks Park on Saturday.

Mia De La Fuente batted 5 for 7 with four RBIs to lead the Eagles in the twinbill. Daiyah Bailey was 5 for 8 with two runs scored and Kendal Daniels knocked in two runs.

The doubleheader started on a celebratory note as NCCU Chancellor Dr. Karrie G. Dixon threw the ceremonial first pitch before game one.

Game 1
The Eagles recorded 13 hits in the 17-7 loss, tying their second-highest total of the season. De La Fuente, Daniels and Bailey combined for nine hits and Tyler Suttles delivered two hits.

De La Fuente was a perfect 3 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and one run scored. Daniels finished 3 for 4 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored and Bailey batted 3 for 4 with two runs scored.

The Eagles were down 5-0 in the first inning but answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning on De La Fuente's two-run single. NCCU kept pace with the Bulldogs through four innings, highlighted by a sacrifice fly by Kristin Corner and an RBI single by Elana Krupey in the third inning, and doubles by De La Fuente and Daniels that produced three runs in the fourth inning.

NCCU trimmed the deficit to 11-7 before the Bulldogs erupted for six runs in the seventh inning.

Both De La Fuente and Suttles scored a run and Isabella Slape collected a hit.

Game 2
De La Fuente singled in Avrelle Harrell in the seventh inning to put the Eagles on the scoreboard in the 10-1 loss.

Bailey and De La Fuente had two hits each while Suttles, Harrell, Daniels, Hannah McGonigle and Janea Hudson each contributed a hit for the Eagles, who garnered nine hits.

NEXT UP
The Eagles close the season against South Carolina State in the series finale at Thomas Brooks Park on Sunday, which is Senior Day. First pitch is at 12 p.m.

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