North Carolina Central University

SOFTBALL

     DURHAM, NC - North Carolina Central University rookie pitcher Clarisse Steans (Macon, GA) struck out 15 batters during a doubleheader sweep (11-2, 10-4) of Livingstone College at Hillside High School in Durham on Thursday.
     Steans sat down eight Lady Blue Bears in game one and seven more in the nightcap, allowing just four hits in each contest to post her ninth and 10th victories of the season.
     In game one, NCCU held a slim 5-2 advantage until blowing the game open with a six-run sixth inning, sparked by a two-run triple by sophomore Candace Spruill (Raleigh, NC). Lady Eagle center fielder Adija Beaty (Landover, MD) was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored and a run batted in. NCCU sophomore Jameka Little (Kinston, NC) contributed two RBI on two hits, including a triple.
     Livingstone sophomore pitcher Marie Szendrey struck out five Lady Eagles in the loss, while going 2-for-3 at the plate.
     In game two, NCCU used a five-run third inning to take an 8-1 lead and cruise to a 10-4 victory. Lady Eagle rookie Natasha Bailey (Berkeley, CA) went 2-for-2 with three RBI, including a two-run triple in the third, her second three-bagger of the day. Fellow freshman Brandie Hines (Kinston, NC) had a triple, drove in three runs and scored twice for NCCU, while shortstop Asha Sutton (LaGrange, NC) belted a solo home run.
     Livingstone was topped by Vanria Smith with a two-run home run and two runs scored. Szendrey collected six strikeouts and allowed just two earned runs in the loss.
     The Lady Eagles improve to 13-18 overall and 12-6 in the CIAA, and have won 11 of their last 14 games. Livingstone falls to 3-21 overall and 3-19 in conference play.