DURHAM, NC—NC Central plated six runs over the first three innings and cruised to an 11-2 win over visiting NJIT Friday afternoon at Durham Athletic Park in the game one of a three-game series.

NC Central put four runs on the board in the first inning after a three-run double into right center by Zach Michalski.

The Eagles added a pair of runs in the third on RBI singles from Timmy Fischvogt and Andrew Valichka to lead 6-0 after the first three frames.

NJIT sent home its first run of the season on a sacrifice fly to right field by freshman catcher Paul Franzoni, scoring senior Jesse Uttendorfer.  Uttendorfer led off the inning with a double down the right field line.

The Eagles scored four runs on three hits in the bottom of the seventh for an 11-1 advantage.

The Highlanders scored a single run in the top of the ninth on a RBI single to right field by Bryce Short, scoring Uttendorfer, who single down the left field line and advanced to second on an error by the Eagles left fielder.

Eagles Jake McCort (2-0) picked up its second win the season, allowing four Highlander hits with seven strikeouts through six innings.

3B Andrew Valichka went 2-for-4 with four RBI and one run scored while Michalski finished 2-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored.  Valichka hit a three-run homer in the seventh.

NJIT sophomore Tyler Stafflinger (0-1) was credited with the loss in his first start of the season. 

NJIT used three pitchers to finish the game – Brian Sondergard (2.1 innings; one hit, one run, two strikeouts), James Sofield (2.0 innings, two strikeouts) and Justin Chin (1.0 inning, one hit, no runs and two strikeouts).

Highlander LF Uttendorfer combined for 3-for-4 on the day with two runs scored while freshmen Franzoni and Short drove in the only runs for NJIT.

The two teams will return to action on Saturday at 1pm at Durham Athletic Park.