GREENSBORO (April 3, 2016) – North Carolina A&T softball completed their three-game series against Bethune-Cookman on Sunday at Lady Aggies Softball Complex with a 12-2 loss. The Wildcats scored in each of the first four innings. The Wildcats (8-24, 3-3 MEAC) won all three games in the series over the Aggies (13-19, 2-4 MEAC).
N.C. A&T found themselves down early just as they were in the previous two games. The Aggies began to rally late to scave off the 8-run rule which ends the game after five innings if a team is trailing by eight or more runs, by scoring runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Zadaisha Waddell was walked to begin the bottom half of the fourth inning with the Aggies down by 12. She was replaced by Zadia Davis as a pinch runner. Janika May singled on a well-placed bunt, advancing Davis. With two outs in the inning, Jillian Nobles singled to left field and scored Davis to put the Aggies on the board.
In the fifth, the Aggies were in a position to extend the game. Shortstop Alejandra Barcenas doubled to left center to lead off the inning, and a double by Raven Gray scored Barcenas. The Wildcats replaced relief pitcher Deirdra Genera halfway through Waddell's at bat with Bailey Connor, who proceeded to walk her. May was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Aggies with the score 12-2, but two strikeouts by Connor ended the game before the Aggies could extend the game into the sixth inning.
Although Bethune-Cookman did not score in the final inning, twelve runs throughout the first four innings was more than enough to give them the win. Two outs to start the game for Bethune-Cookman did not stop an RBI double by Brianna Sanders followed by Sophia Ortega's two-RBI home run to put the Wildcats on top 3-0.
In the second, two hits and an error at first guided four more runs across the plate for BCU. Waddell came in to pitch for starter Mohagony Headen in the third, but a leadoff double and numerous passed balls scored three more Wildcat runs. Bethune-Cookman closed their scoring in the fourth on two hits and an error, taking a 12-0 lead before the Aggies started their scoring push.
Despite dropping the series to Bethune-Cookman, the Aggies still have a 9-6 record at home.
N.C. A&T plays cross-town rival UNC Greensboro (23-14) on Wednesday at UNCG Softball Stadium at 5 p.m., before continuing down to Tallahassee, Fla., to face MEAC opponent Florida A&M in a three-game series next weekend.
