CARY, N.C. – The Savannah State University softball team (7-14, 2-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) won the first game of the three game series 1-0 against North Carolina Central University (6-16, 0-4 MEAC) Friday at Thomas Brooks Park.
 
Senior right fielder Shelby Eccles and junior third baseman Cortni Jones each recorded a hit, while Harris scored the only run of the game and Jones recorded the only RBI.  On the mound, senior pitcher Amanda Hallman (5-7) picked up the win pitching a complete shutout game scattering two hits with eight strikeouts. 
 
Both teams were held to a total of four hits, two by each team, and combined for 25 strikeouts as both teams went scoreless in the first six innings.
 
The first hit of the game did not come until the top of the fourth inning when Eccles started the inning with an infield single to third base, but after a sacrifice bunt by senior shortstop Drea Lesure to advance Eccles to second base, back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning. 
 
The Eagles recorded their first hit of the game in the bottom half of the inning after a two-out double, but a groundout back to the pitcher ended the inning. 
 
The Lady Tigers scored the only run of the game in the top of the seventh inning to win by a run.  After a strikeout to start the inning, senior center fielder Brianna Harris walked and Jones tripled to right field to drive home Harris for the only run of the game.  Back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.
 
NCCU started the bottom half of the inning with a single up the middle, but a fielder's choice allow the runner to reach first base safely, but Jones throw to second to get the lead runner for the second out of the inning and a strikeout ended the game.
 
The Eagles were led by Ava Dolan and Aleyah Evans each recorded a hit, while Courtney Mirabella (5-10) picked up the loss in a complete game giving up a run on two hits with 17 strikeouts. 
 
The series conclude Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
 
Savannah State 1, N.C. Central 0 (Mar 30, 2018 at Cary, N.C.)
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Savannah State...... 000 000 1 -  1  2  0      (7-14, 2-2 MEAC)
N.C. Central........ 000 000 0 -  0  2  0      (6-16, 0-4 MEAC)
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Pitchers: Savannah State - HALLMAN, Amanda and CYRUS, Kelsey. N.C. Central - MIRABELLA,C. and
MACON,K..
Win-HALLMAN, Amanda(5-7)  Loss-MIRABELLA,C.(5-10)  T-1:31  A-55
Weather: 73 degrees, mostly cloudy
 
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