BRADENTON, Fla. - For a second straight afternoon, NCF and Fort Lauderdale split a two-game doubleheader at IMG Academy as the Mighty Banyans took the opener 7-3 and then dropped the second game.
Game 1
NCF took control of Game 1 early as Antwan Jackson hit an RBI single with the bases loaded and a throwing error on the play allowed the Mighty Banyans to clear the bases. The next batter,
Brecken Fair, hit an RBI single to make it 4-0.
The Mighty Banyans added three more in the bottom of the third, giving defending Sun Conference and NAIA Pitcher of the Week
Ryan Swartz all the support he needed as the right-hander tossed 4.0 innings of two-run ball, striking out seven to earn the victory.
Out of the bullpen,
Jimmy McCarthy allowed one run in the top of the fifth while
Braxten Plemons and
Corbin Gilmore each worked a scoreless inning of relif allowing NCF to finish off the Eagles.
Game 2
Game 2 was all Eagles as NCF was unable to solve Eagles southpaw Cameron Hillery, who tossed 6.0 innings of scoreless ball.
NCF was held to just two hits in the contest.
Up Next: NCF, now 5-3 on the season, will welcome Briar Cliff to IMG Academy for a four-game series next weekend. The start of Thursday's series opener is to be determined, Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at Noon and the teams will play a 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. doubleheader Saturday.
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