GREENSBORO—North Carolina A&T first baseman Kelvin Freeman, who is the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, continued to swing a hot bat. But the Aggies were not able to slow down UNC Greensboro in a 6-2 loss Tuesday at UNCG Baseball Stadium.
Freeman hit his 13th home run of the season, but the Aggies (14-32) were held to just three hits and four walks on the night, as the Spartans (19-26) turned three double plays to help stem the A&T offense in the contest. The Aggies allowed 12 hits and two walks, but shutdown right fielder Christian Wolfe (0-for-5) to end his hitting streak at 21 games.
UNCG got the better of A&T starter junior Cameron Jergens in the first inning. Back-to-back RBI doubles by first baseman Lloyd Enzor and designated hitter Eric Kalbfleisch gave the Spartans a 2-0 lead. The Aggies worked to respond in the second inning, but Jergens was left stranded after hitting a two-out single to right.
The Spartans put runners on the corners with one out in the second frame. UNCG successfully executed a double steal, which enabled left fielder Zac MacAneney to cross home as second baseman Benigno Marrero stole second.
The Aggies got the tying run to the plate in the fourth inning. A&T put two on in the fourth inning, on a bunt single by junior Luke Tendler and a walk by sophomore Brandon Wilkerson, but senior Mark Nales hit into an inning-ending double play.
In the UNCG fourth, the Spartans got runners on the corners for Wolfe. He hit into a fielder's choice, which allowed the fourth run to score. Shorstop TJ Spina singled through the left side to put two on. The Aggies then called on Tim Jones to pitch, and he got Trevor Edwards to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the jam.
A&T chalked up a pair of runs in the sixth inning off reliever Dominique Vattuone. Tendler earned a one-out walk, and stole second. Freeman launched a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall to snap the shutout and make it a 4-2 contest.
In the seventh inning, Bradley Jeffries surrendered two singles before issuing a walk to load the bases with no out. The Aggies then called on right-hander Jamal Clark to pitch. Kalbfleisch lined out to freshman Jeovanny Tolentino at second. Catcher Cambric Moye hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Spartans a 5-2 lead, and both runners advanced on the throw. A wild pitch by Clark allowed the sixth UNCG run to score while MacAneney was batting. MacAneney lined out to Freeman to end the frame.
Senior Dairio Little reached base on a walk in the eighth, but the Spartans turned a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. UNCG retired the Aggies in order in the ninth to secure the win and snap a six-game losing streak.
The Aggies will host Florida A&M in their final regular season MEAC series from May 4-5. Doubleheader action starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and the finale will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
