SAVANNAH, Ga. (April 23, 2016) – Fourteen hits in Game 2 boosted North Carolina A&T's softball team past Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference southern division elite Savannah State 7-3 to split the first two games of the three-game series on Saturday at Lady Tiger Softball Field. Mohogany Headen was excellent in relief in both games, not giving up a hit from the circle in Game 1, but the Aggies could not comeback from the Tigers six runs in the third, losing 6-1.
N.C. A&T found themselves down by a run heading into the fourth inning of Game 2, but quickly retaliated, adding seven of their own to the scoreboard. Three Tiger errors aided the Aggies in the inning. Headen led off with a double to right center, with Shi-Anne Campbell coming in as a pinch runner. Zadia Davis' bunt advanced Campbell, and an error at shortstop allowed the first run across the plate to tie the game.
A fielder's choice loaded the bases with no outs and a single off the bat of Alejandra Barcenas in addition to an error in left field, scored three more for the Aggies, giving them a 4-1 lead. A pitching change for the Tigers did not stop the Aggies from scoring again, with Barcenas crossing home on a fielder's choice on the next play. A double from Zadaisha Waddell scored Gray and May, closing the inning with the Aggies leading 7-1. Headen (6-3) pitched the final 4.1 innings of the game to earn the win as she gave up two runs. Headen also went 3-for-4 at the plate to complement Waddell's 3-for-4 game with two RBI.
Barcenas' three hits over Saturday's two games increased her season total to 37, second behind Raven Gray's 45. Janika May led off the fourth inning by reaching on an error and advancing to third on the same error. She eventually scored on a passed ball. But before the Aggies scored, SSU had already gotten off to a good start.
Waddell struggled early from the circle in Game 1. Two hits in the first left two on base, but four hits in the third produced all of the Tigers six runs in the contest. Headen replaced Waddell late in the third and closed out the game strong for the Aggies, allowing no hits and striking out two.
The Aggies (14-27, 3-8 MEAC) wrap up their series with the Tigers on Sunday at noon. The road games continue on Wednesday with a doubleheader at Appalachian State starting at 4 p.m., before N.C. A&T returns home Saturday for their final home series of the season against North Carolina Central.
