GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T baseball team brought its season to a near close Sunday afternoon with two losses to Florida A&M at War Memorial Stadium as the Rattlers won 4-2 and 8-3 in doubleheader action.
The Aggies have a makeup game against N.C. Central in Durham on Saturday, May 9. The game will have meaning for the Eagles because they will try to be playing their way into the MEAC tournament which starts May 13. The Aggies (9-36, 6-17 MEAC) have been eliminated from tournament consideration, so they will be playing for pride and the future. A&T started the season 3-28, but did close out the season by going 6-8 while showing remarkable improvement.
“When you're playing that many guys it is definitely growing pains involved,” said interim head coach Ben Hall who is close to completing his first season with the Aggies. “The positives are the growth into seeing better baseball toward the end of the year. We had to correct some mistakes from early in the year. We still have a long way to go, but there are some talented players who were able to step in, took the opportunity and played well.”
On Sunday it was not the young players who were being celebrated. The Aggies held their Senior Day before the game where they honored outfielders Bo McMillian, Micah Carmony, Brandon Wilkerson, Dylan Hipp, right-hand pitchers Brian Poag, Jamal Clark, Luke McCreesh, Charles Cantrell, Mitchell McQueen, shortstop Brandon Mitchell, shortstop Brandon Mitchell and catcher Lester Salcedo. Among those seniors are five pitchers and one part-time pitcher.
“Our first need is obviously on the mound,” said Hall. “We're losing a lot of seniors. We're still looking to sign an infielder or two to get some more competition in the infield. We're also looking for lefties. We need some more balance in our lineup.”
Two of Hall's seniors – Wilkerson and Mitchell – both went 2-for-3 in Game 1's seven-inning contest. The Rattlers were able to take a 3-0 lead before the Aggies responded in the fourth as Adan Ordonez hit into a fielder's choice to drive in a run. The Rattlers added a run on an RBI single by Marlon Gibbs in the seventh.
A&T, who made a late rally on Saturday, were looking to the do the same in its half of the seventh. A throwing error by A.J. Elkins allowed freshman Myles Sowell to score to cut the lead to 4-2. Hipp advanced to second on the error to put the tying run at the plate. But pinch-hitter Timothy Ravare struck out to end the game. Kendall Weeks (4-2) picked up the win for the Rattlers, while right-hander Mitchell McQueen (0-3) took the loss. Westbrook Cleveland picked up the save.
Florida A&M (19-23, 15-9 MEAC) scored eight runs over the first three innings of Game 2 to take two out of three from A&T. The win also secured the No. 1 seed from the MEAC south going into the conference tournament. Ravare had two hits in Game 2. Cantrell (0-7) took the loss while right-hander Ryan Anderson (1-3) was the winning pitcher.
Other than their makeup game against N.C. Central, the Aggies must look toward the future after failing to advance to the MEAC tournament for the second straight season. “We need to get them to show up every day and treat baseball as if it is their craft,” said Hall. “I think we made that stride this year. The results will come as we continue to put our best foot forward.”
Hall returns four freshman starters who brought about some excitement this season. Speedy center fielder Myles Sowell is trouble when he gets on base. Second baseman Milton Rivera is batting nearly .300. A.J. Hunt is a solid defensive third baseman and catcher Adan Ordonez could be headed toward All-MEAC honors.
The Aggies also have a good collection of freshman arms along with two talented sophomores – Kyle Clary and Ravare – who played in quite a few games this season.
“I saw growth and I was excited about the response we got from these guys this year,” said Hall. “It was an exciting year even though we were disappointed in the results. But I'm excited for the challenge of rebuilding this program presents going forward. We're going to work to win every game, but obviously we are going to also make sure we have time to teach the game in every setting we have. We're just thankful for the opportunity to lead young players in a game that has given a lot to people.'
