North Carolina Central University

SOFTBALL

     DURHAM, NC --  North Carolina Central University scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn a 12-9 game two victory and salvage a doubleheader split with Fayetteville State University at Hillside High School in Durham, NC.
     NCCU (8-4, 8-2 CIAA) led 6-0 after two innings, but the Lady Eagles found themselves trailing 9-7 heading into the bottom of the sixth.
     NCCU senior pitcher Jennifer Jones (Louisburg, NC) drove in the game-tying runs with a one-out double. Lauren Edwards (Freeport, NY) then followed with an RBI single as Candace Spruill (Raleigh, NC) scored the eventual game-winner.
     Jones struck out 11 without a walk to improve to 8-3, and went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI and three runs scored. Spruill, Edwards, Odessa Perry (Warrenton, NC) and Orlinda Perry (Warrenton, NC) all finished with two hits apiece.
     FSU (7-7, 5-1 CIAA) amassed 13 hits, topped by LaDonna Smith, Josephine Prince and Amanda Clevenger with two hits each. Lady Bronco pitcher Rosa Graham walked six batters in the loss (2-2).
     In game one, FSU's first three batters in the line-up accounted for all nine runs in a 9-4 victory.
    NCCU held a 4-3 advantage after two innings of play, but the Lady Eagles stranded eight runners in the first three innings.
     FSU shortstop Rickita Mays exploded out of the No. 3 spot, hitting 3-for-4 with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI. Mays also contributed five assists in the field. No. 2 hitter LaDonna Smith went 1-for-3 with a triple, an RBI, and three runs scored. Lead-off hitter Latasha Ham did not have a hit in three official at-bats, but scored three times. 
     After surrendering four runs in the first two innings, FSU hurler Octavia Wright held the Lady Eagles scoreless the rest of the way to pick up the victory and improve to 3-3 on the season.
     NCCU pitcher Jones suffered her first conference setback of the campaign.