AGGIES CAN'T PULL OFF THIRD STRAIGHT DRAMATIC WIN

Mayo, Sunderland have three RBI apiece
 

Box Score
GREENSBORO, N.C., March 13, 2006 – In a match-up of two of the best teams in HBCU baseball, the Aggies almost pulled a series sweep against Savannah State in much the same way they won the first two games – in the late innings.

 On Monday, however, the Tigers held off the Aggies late-inning charge to win 13-10 at War Memorial Stadium. Nick Mayo was 2-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored, while Raul Santiago went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and William Sunderland added three RBI for the Aggies (7-10). Charlie Gamble had a hit to extend his hitting streak to 12.

 The Aggies trailed 8-5 going into the ninth. Savannah State was able to rally for five runs in its half of the ninth to extend the lead. The big blow came when a pop fly was allowed to drop in the Aggies infield. The error kept the Tigers rally going and cost the Aggies four unearned runs.

 Down 13-5 in their last at-bat, the Aggies would not concede. The Aggies, who benefited from a miscue in each game of Sunday’s doubleheader to win both games, looked to pull off more magic on Monday.

 Neil Rosser started the inning with a double off of starter Javier Fiallo. Santiago followed with a single a Phil Brewington walked. Mayo’s single to left would score Rosser to pull the Aggies to within 13-6.

 Zach Duncan replaced Fiallo and unleashed a wild pitch, allowing Santiago to score. With runners at third and second, Joe McIntyre hit a slow roller to the pitcher, which allowed Brewington to score as the Aggies closed the gap to 13-8.

 The Tigers turned to reliever James Mock to try to close out the game. But he walked Gamble to put runners at third at first. After Mock was replaced by Greg Hatcher, Patrick Oates walked to load the bases.

 Without swinging his bat, Sunderland earned an RBI by walking with the bases loaded. Marcus Mack’s RBI single pulled the Aggies even closer at 13-10, and with the bases still loaded, Rosser who started inning off with a double, now represented the winning run.

 But Rosser hit into a double play to end the rally and the game. Savannah State improved  to 12-7 on the season with Fiallo earning the win. Skegee Brooks took the loss for the Aggies. The Aggies are back in action Tuesday when they travel to Asheville to face the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs at 1 p.m. They return home on Wednesday to face Appalachian State at 6 p.m., before traveling to Birmingham, Ala., to face the University of Alabama-Birmingham in a three-game weekend series.