GREENSBORO-What started out as a taut pitchers' duel between North Carolina A&T and Campbell baseball teams on Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium ended up in a tough loss 7-2 for the Aggies.

The Aggies (5-8) had a 1-0 lead going into the fifth inning, when the Camels (10-3) tied the score.  The Aggies regained the lead in the sixth, only for Campbell to make it a 2-2 game in the top of the seventh.  Campbell then scored five runs across the final two innings, and their stingy relievers allowed just one hit in the final three frames.

"It was another good baseball game.  We were in it until the end and our guys were giving us a chance to win the ballgame," said A&T head coach Joel Sanchez.   "We played hard--it was just baseball.  We got overmatched there at the end, arms-wise."

A&T starter Ruben Torrellas had another strong outing, allowing one run on six hits in 5.0 innings.  He struck out four batters and got out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth inning.  Righty reliever Andrew Cook allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and four walks in 3.0 frames for the loss.  Freshman right-hander Shane Carter allowed two runs in the ninth frame for the Aggies.

Senior third baseman Michael Radford extended his hitting streak to seven games with a 1-for-4 finish with a bloop single.  He's now hitting .367 (11-for-30) in that span with four doubles, three RBI and 10 runs with three walks.  Senior second baseman Marquis Riley led the team with two hits.  

Campbell took control of the game in the eighth inning, scoring three runs to pull ahead 5-2.  Josh Holskey singled to start the frame, and was replaced on the base path by Austin Beard.  Beard took second on a sacrifice bunt by Blake Boyce, and advanced to third on a wild pitch.  With two out, Cook walked Cam'Ron Summer.   Brennenman doubled to right field to score two runs.  Little made an unsuccessful dive for the ball.  That was one of the late-inning plays that Sanchez said could have changed the outcome of the game.

"We had a couple of bad breaks here, like that line drive to Dairio.  He makes that play all the time.  He kind of started to dive in to it, and tried to hold up, and stumbled into it.  If he makes that play, it's the third out and we're out of that inning, and it's still a tied ballgame," Sanchez said.

The Camels added another run in that inning.  McQuown struck out swinging, but A&T catcher Stefan Jordan had trouble finding the ball behind his feet.  When he did, he made a wild throw to first to try to put out McQuown at first.  Mcquown reached first and Brenneman scored on the play to make it 5-2.

"All of these midweek games, we've been playing against quality teams.  The mistakes just look bigger against good teams, and they capitalize on them," Sanchez said. 

Campbell added their final two runs in the ninth on another error. 

The Aggies had one hit in the ninth inning, as Luke Tendler singled and took second on a throwing error by shortstop Brent Graham.  But he was left stranded as the last A&T batter struck out.  It was the only A&T hit in the last three innings.

"Today wasn't a very good offensive approach, especially after [Campbell starter Paul Eyster].  Their two bullpen guys were quality arms," Sanchez said. 

The Aggies took a 1-0 lead in the first inning.  With one out, center fielder Andre McKoy singled up the middle.  Riley then singled to right field, and advanced to second on a fielding error by Camels right fielder Jake Kirkland.  McKoy scored on the error.    The Aggies only collected one more hit in the next three innings.

The Aggies took the lead in the sixth.  With two out, Riley singled to short, and took second on a wild pitch.  Dairio Little then hit an RBI single to score Riley and make it a 2-1 game.  The hit snapped an 0-for-9 hitless streak for Little.  The Aggies kept things rolling with a single by first baseman Kelvin Freeman, which snapped his 0-for-11 hitless streak. 

In the seventh inning, the Camels tied the game up again.  With one out, Brenneman walked.  He came around to make it a 2-2 game on an RBI single by Kirkland. 

The Aggies will take the field again on Saturday, as they begin MEAC competition, taking on the N.C. Central Eagles.  The Aggies will host a doubleheader at 1 p.m., on Saturday and will play the rubber match at 1 p.m., on Sunday against the Eagles. 

"We're just looking forward to the conference series, to start MEAC play and to see what the competition is going to look like for the conference.  I know that's only one team, but we'll start getting a feel for the conference, hopefully," Sanchez said.