DURHAM, NC - Host North Carolina Central scored multiple runs in each of the first six innings on the way to a 21-8 win against the Iona College baseball team this afternoon to start a three-game series in North Carolina.

NC Central (7-3) responded to a Sean Breen solo homerun in the top of the first inning by plating four runs in the bottom half all with two out on four hits that included a RBI double from designated hitter Mitchell McCrary. Corey Joyce connected on a two-run homerun in the second inning to expand the lead to 6-1 before the hosts scored 13 runs in the following three innings and concluded with a final two in the sixth.

The Maroon & Gold (2-5) scored a run in each of the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth innings to chip into the deficit and ended the afternoon with three runs in the ninth inning with Dion Austrie and Lou Matarazzo picking up RBI hits. 

Breen finished the game with two scored runs to share the team-high with Joe DeMaio while Matarazzo and Sean Scales each recorded two hits. 

Game two of the series is scheduled for 1 pm on Saturday afternoon.