GREENSBORO (April 2, 2016) – North Carolina A&T softball started a three-game series against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Bethune-Cookman with a doubleheader on Saturday at Lady Aggies Softball Complex where they fell behind early in both games before losing the first game 9-2 and the second 5-2.
N.C. A&T's only two runs in the first game came on a two-run home run by freshman Mohagony Headen in the fifth inning. It prevented the game from ending as the Aggies (13-18, 2-3 MEAC0 headed into the fifth down 9-0. Minus Headen's home run the 8-run deficit rule after five would have been enacted.
The Wildcats (7-4, 2-3 MEAC) began their scoring with a leadoff double by Bailey Conner in the second inning. Conner tried to move to third when Kailey Richards hit a groundball to Aggies pitcher Zadaisha Waddell. Waddell tried to catch Conner in a rundown, but Waddell's throw to third base was dropped allowing Conner to move back to second. Bryanna Campos then tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt attempt, but was able to reach on a fielder's choice to load the bases.
A third straight fielder's choice helped the Wildcats score their first run as Wanda Darby hit a groundball to third baseman Jillian Nobles. Nobles fired it home as Connor slid and collided with Aggies catcher Lorrin Turner. On the collision Turner dropped the ball giving BCU a 1-0 lead.
One out later Mariah Davis singled to left field. Janika May mishandled the rolling ball as two runs scored and Wildcat runners advanced to second and third. Wanda Darby scored on a passed ball and Iesha Waters grounded out to second to bring home the final two runs in the Wildcats five-run second.
After another score in the third, the Wildcats came close to finishing the game in the fifth by adding three more runs. The Aggies got a quick two outs to start the inning before Kailey Richard singled to center and advanced on a wild pitch. The bases were soon loaded again. Richard scored on a passed ball, only to be followed by a two-run RBI double from Annie Bakenhus for the Wildcats 9-0 lead before Headen extended the game with her home run.
Sabrina Anguiano (2-9) got the win in Game 1 while Waddell (4-10) took the loss in the circle.
The Aggies were hoping to get off to a better start in the second game but fell behind 4-0 over the first five innings. Back-to-back hits put Alejandra Barcenas and Turner on base before they both advanced on May's groundout. A groundout by scored Barcenas to make it 4-1 in the Aggies half of the fifth. The Wildcats matched the run in their sixth when Annie Bakenhus scored on a Mariah Davis groundout after doubling and moving to third on a wild pitch.
During the Aggies sixth, senior Kimberly Brunson walked to start the inning. She went on to score on a throwing error at third by Campos to bring the Aggies to within two at 5-2. Shi-Anne Campbell, however, would hit into a double play to end the Aggies threat.
BCU relief pitcher Sabrina Anguiano retired the Aggies in order to end the game. May (4-6) took the loss in Game 2 while Deidra Genera (4-8) got the win. The two teams play again Sunday at noon at LASC.
