GREENSBORO – Despite facing a variety of arms on Wednesday night, the North Carolina A&T baseball team kept inching closer and closer to the lead against High Point University. But the Aggies' best efforts came up short in a 10-7 loss to the Panthers at War Memorial Stadium.
Freshman Milton Rivera had a huge night for the Aggies, going 4-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI. Senior Brandon Wilkerson continued his superb season by going 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Rivera has now reached base safely in his last seven games and Rivera and Wilkerson lead the Aggies in multiple-hit games with 11.
For the second straight night, however, the Aggies fell behind early. The Aggies (3-28) trailed Winthrop 6-0 in the third inning Tuesday night. Wednesday night the Aggies trailed 6-1 going into their half of the fourth. Sophomore Timothy Ravare led off the fourth with a single. High Point third baseman aided the Aggies by misplaying a Myles Sowell groundball to put runners at first and second.
Wilkerson then launched an Austin Heinz fastball into center field for a two-run RBI double that cut the Panthers (17-14) lead to 6-3. Rivera's triple scored Wilkerson to move the Aggies to within two runs. Two sacrifice flies and an error helped the Panthers score the next three runs to put them ahead 9-4 in the seventh inning. A&T scored in its seventh to cut the lead to four.
Senior Bo McMillan opened the eighth with a single and Wilkerson reached on walk. Right-hander Peter Ripke came in to slow the Aggies down, but Rivera greeted him with an RBI double down the right field line to score McMillan. Wilkerson later scored on a passed ball as Rivera moved to third in a 9-7 game.
Then the most controversial play of the game occurred as freshman Adan Ordonez flew out to right field. Rivera tagged and raced home. HPU right fielder Brady Williamson's throw and Rivera reached the plate simultaneously making for a bang-bang play. Rivera was called out taking the Aggies from no outs to two in one play. Lance Jensen struck out to end the inning.
A&T never seriously threatened again. Carson Jackson (RHP), who was the designated hitter most of the night, came on in the ninth to earn his first save of the season. In a long line of 10 pitchers, Gage Rogers (1-0) picked up the win for the Panthers. In his first career start, Jordan Virgil (0-1) took the loss.
Josh Spano was 3-for-6 with three RBI and Josh Greene added three hits, two runs scored and two RBI which included a triple.
The Aggies are back action Friday when they travel to Farmville, Va., to start a three-game series against Longwood.
