DURHAM, N.C. — In its midweek contest with in-state school NC Central, Appalachian State University baseball gave up home runs in the first, seventh, and eighth innings on its way to dropping a 4-1 game at historic Durham Park.

Starting pitching Breydan Gorham made his second start of the season and pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and struck out four batters.

The Eagles (4-4) took the lead in the bottom of the first inning on Carlos Ortiz' home run over the right field wall. The Mountaineers (1-8) looked as if they would answer in the top of the third. With a man on base, Tanner Mann-Fix singled into right field and tried to advance as the right fielder threw into third base but was thrown out at second.

In the sixth inning, Mann-Fix leveled the score with a solo shot of his own. With two outs, Mann-Fix lifted the ball over the raised right field wall for the Mountaineers only run of the game. In the bottom have of the inning, Ortiz drove a ball into center field that looked as if it would easily sail over App State defense, but Mann-Fix made a brilliant diving grab to end the inning.

After NC Central regained the lead with a homer in the seventh, the Eagles walked lead-off batter, Matt Vernon. Henry Davis entered the game to run for Vernon. One batter later, Davis took off for second base and the NC Central catcher threw the ball into center field, allowing Davis to scamper over to third. Appalachian was unable to capitalize with a man on third in what turned out to be their last scoring threat.

NC Central sealed the game with an eighth inning two-run shot to right-center field off reliever Travis Holden. App State couldn't register a hit in the ninth to keep the game alive.

Brian Bauk, Grayson Atwood, and Will Herman all recorded hits to go along with Mann-Fix's two. Gorham suffered the loss and dropped to 0-2 on the season.

The Mountaineers are back in action this weekend in Elon, N.C. for games versus Stony Brook, Bowling Green, and Elon.