GREENSBORO
–
John Smith had a solid start on the mound, but the North Carolina
A&T
offense couldn't quite get it going as Gardner-Webb defeated the
Aggies
5-1 in baseball action Wednesday night at War Memorial Stadium.
Smith pitched seven innings, gave up four runs with only two of them
earned and he struck out two. Smith's offense did pound out seven
hits.
Sophomore Carvell Copeland led the way with two hits and an RBI.
Smith ran into his biggest trouble in the sixth inning. Josh Watts led
the inning with an infield single. Daniel Merck replaced him on base
by
reaching on a fielder's choice. Merck moved into scoring position by
stealing second. An Aggies error would lead to Merck scoring from
second
for a 2-0 Bulldogs lead.
Josh Drewery doubled down the left field line to put two more runners
in
scoring position. A fielder's interference call would allow Kurt
Fulginiti to score for a 3-0 lead.
The Aggies got on the board in the ninth. Two walks given up to James
Howard and Lester Rivenbark allowed Copeland to hit an RBI single to
left field. The loss dropped the Aggies to 12-21 overall. Smith
dropped
to 0-3.
