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Richards, Bergwall Lead Eagles Past North Carolina Central
April 16, 2011DURHAM, N.C. -- Derek Richards went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and John Bergwall pitched a complete game leading Coppin State to an 8-5 victory over North Carolina Central on Saturday at Durham Athletic Park.
The victory by the Eagles snapped an eight-game losing streak and raised their record to 4-26 on the season. North Carolina Central dropped to 4-32 overall with the loss.
Richards had a double and two singles and also scored two times to lead the offense in support of Bergwall.
Bergwall picked up his first victory of the season by scattering 11 hits and allowing only three earned runs, while striking out six batters. He also went 2-for-5 at the plate and drove in a run.
Alex Black had two hits and two RBI, while Jesse Savage added two hits for Coppin State. Chris Kashangaki and Jim Vagnier added RBI for the Eagles.
Coppin State scored first in the top of the second inning when Richards led off the frame with a single. He moved to second on a groundout by Kashangaki and scored when Black singled through the right side of the infield.
North Carolina Central tied the game with a run in the bottom of the second inning, but the Eagles took control of the game with a five-run third inning.
Craig Richmond walked with one out and advanced to second on a single by Bergwall. Savage then singled to center field to load the bases with one out.
Richards then cleared the bases with a double down the leftfield line that scored Richmond, Bergwall and Savage and gave the Eagles a 4-1 lead.
Kashangaki reached on an error which allowed Richards to score with the fourth run of the inning.
Kashangaki stole second base and scored when Black delivered a clutch, two-out single to right.
North Carolina Central fought back into the game by scoring three times in the seventh inning to cut the lead to 6-4.
Coppin State answered with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth inning.
Black walked to lead off the inning and scored when Vagnier doubled down the leftfield line increasing the lead to 7-4.
Ricky Ferri walked and Richmond reached on a fielder's choice with Vagnier getting forced out at third base. Ferri and Richmond executed a double steal and Bergwall followed with a single that scored Ferri upping the lead to 8-4.
The teams will complete the series with a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at noon.
