GREENSBORO - North Carolina A&T displayed why it is such a scary team to opposing pitchers. The Aggies recorded 16 hits in a 14-9 win over Campbell in the first game of a doubleheader played at War Memorial Stadium Friday. The Aggies lost the second game 15-3. It was the opening two games of the season.
Junior Xavier Macklin and sophomore Kelvin Freeman hit home runs in Game 1. Junior Marquis Riley added three hits, three runs scored and three RBIs. Macklin, Freeman, sophomore Dario Little and freshman Luke Tendler had two RBIs apiece.
Junior Esterlin Paulino picked up the win as he struck out two over seven innings. Freshman Craig Erskine picked up the save.
It was a rough start for Paulino. He gave up two runs over the first two innings. His offense began to give him a big lift in the second. The Aggies worked Campbell starter Logan Self deep into counts. Macklin opened the inning with a walk. Self then hit Freeman with a 1-2 pitch. Little went seven pitches into the count before he ripped a 3-2 pitch to left center field for a double and a 2-2 tie.
Mark Nales followed Little's double with a triple to right field to score Little. The Aggies six-run second inning was capped off by Marquis Riley's two-run single up the middle. The Aggies went into the ninth inning with a 14-5 lead after Macklin hit the ball to the deepest part of the field in the eighth inning for his 28th career home run.
The Camels rallied as hit by pitches and walks led to four runs scoring in the ninth. When Erskine entered the game the Camels had the bases loaded and were down by five with the tying run in the on-deck circle. But Erskine struck out Ellis Lowe looking and got Alan Brenneman to hit into a force play to end the game.
The second game featured Macklin's 29th career home run. The Camels got off to a quick start by scoring eight runs in the first inning. Nick Oelker (0-1) took the loss, while Campbell's Jake Smith earned the victory. N.C. A&T returns to action Saturday afternoon when they travel to Campbell to face the Camels in a 1 p.m., doubleheader.
