NEWARK, NJ—A combination of two big innings, including a grand slam by NC Central's Mitch McCrary led the Eagles over visiting NJIT, 10-1, to sweep the weekend series from the Highlanders Sunday afternoon at Durham Athletic Park.

NC Central (7-4 overall) won for the fifth time in their last five games.  The Highlanders drop its third straight, since, topping Chicago State, 7-2, in the final game of the Perfect Game Tournament on February 26.  The Highlanders are 2-7 overall.

NC Central divided its scoring in four innings – two of which were big innings for the Eagles.  The Eagles struck three times in the bottom of the first inning to take control of the game early and then added a run in the second and fourth innings, before sending five across the plate in the sixth inning.

NJIT got its only run in the top of the sixth inning and ended up with nine men left on base.  SS Justin Etts scored the Highlanders lone run in the game on a solo shot to left field, his first of the season, to lead off the inning.

The winning pitcher for NC Central was LHP senior Landon Fraley (1-0), while freshman RHP Tyler Stafflinger (1-1) started and took the loss for the Highlanders.

Fraley started for the Eagles and pitched the first inning, going 1-2-3 and was replaced by RHP Jonathan Figueroa, who pitched the next 6.0 innings, allowing seven hits and NJIT's lone run in the game.  Jeff Hagen finished the win, tossing a combined two scoreless innings and allowing just one hit, while striking out three Highlanders.

Stafflinger, the NJIT starter, pitched 3.1 innings and allowed six hits and five runs (three earned) while fanning five Eagles.  He was relived first by sophomore LHP Chris Gibbons, who worked 2.0 innings and was charged with five hits and five runs.  Redshirt sophomore RHP James Sofield, worked 1.2 innings, while junior LHP Justin Chin pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing one walk and striking out two Eagles.

NC Central banged out 11 hits, topped by three each for RF Carter Williams, who scored three runs while LF Mitch McCrary led the Eagles by driving in six RBI, which including a grand slam shot in the bottom of the sixth inning.

NJIT had eight hits in the game with three players combining for two hits each – Etts (2-for-4; including first homer of season in the sixth inning), LF Evan Pietronico (2-for-4) and 1B Alex Burman (2-for-3).

NJIT will return to action on March 8 when the Highlanders visit Fairleigh Dickinson.  First pitch is set for 3pm.