 "Photo: Photo by Jonathan Alexander/ Echo sports editor")
Year six of the N.C. Central University baseball program's reincarnation began with a series of losses against UNC-Asheville over the weekend at Durham Athletic Park.
The Bulldogs used a steady attack at the plate to sweep the three-game series, 13-3, 9-3, and 10-2.
Throughout the weekend, poor pitching plagued the Eagles, who ended the series with a 10.08 ERA.
"We're still trying to find consistency," said Head Coach Jim Koerner. "I think with a new coaching staff, some different philosophies, we're still trying to figure each other out."
On Friday, the Eagles' fate was determined early after they surrendered nine runs in the second inning.
Junior starting pitcher Glenn Frye gave up eight of those runs in the second inning, which saw the Bulldogs bat around.
The Eagles manufactured their only runs of the game in the fifth inning with a two-run double by juniorleftfielder Luis Diaz and an RBI single by sophomore catcher Carter Williamson.
Originally, only one game was scheduled for Saturday, but the possibility of inclement weather prompted officials to move Sunday's game to Saturday, making it a doubleheader.
Saturday's first game saw the Eagles' pitching fall apart again, as starter Gavin Guarerra gave up nine hits and eight runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Despite the tough losses, Koerner was pleased with his players' energy level.
"The effort out there was outstanding. For every single inning, every single pitch these guys really competed — there was no quit," said Koerner.
"Guys were running the bases hard and if we continue to have that kind of effort we're going to find a way to figure it out."
In the second game of the twin bill, the Eagles struck first after a groundout in the second inning by sophomore second baseman Tyson Simpson Jr. plated Carter Williamson.
The Bulldogs got on the board with an RBI groundout and a run scored on an error in the fourth inning to take the lead 2-1.
NCCU responded in the bottom of the inning when senior first baseman Etienne Farquharson singled in a run.
Asheville scored eight runs in the next three innings to take a 10-2 lead, which became the final score.
A bright spot on the Eagles' offense was junior outfielder Nate Smith, who finished the weekend with four hits and three runs.
Smith saw positives and area improvements among his younger teammates.
"It's still early. We did some good things, we did some bad things too, but it was more good than bad," said Smith. "It's a long season — we can't base the season off of three games."
The Eagles look for their first win under Koerner today at 4 p.m. against Duke at Durham Athletic Park.
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