EAST GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T Aggies finished their stint in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in winning fashion.
They beat the Coppin State Eagles, 10-4 Saturday afternoon inside War Memorial Stadium to sweep baseball the series.
The Aggies finish the season 22-32 overall and 17-15 in league action.
A&T celebrated senior day with a pregame ceremony to honor players like right-handed pitcher Michael Johnson, catcher Ryne Stanley, and many others that played a part in two MEAC Southern Division championships, a MEAC tournament title and an NCAA regional appearance.
"Senior Day is always bittersweet and emotional," said A&T coach Ben Hall. "But you could feel the love that these guys have for each other. This senior class is one of the most successful in our program's history. We had a great team win (today), and our seniors were all special today."
Hall put Johnson on the mound as the ceremonial starter, but he did not throw a pitch due to an injury sustained earlier in the season. Fellow senior Leon Davidson, Johnson's roommate for the last five years, served as an honorary coach and went to the mound to take Johnson out of the game.
"We wanted to see Michael get his last trip to the mound," said Hall. "Just a special moment to send Leon out there to take him out and see two roommates of five years embrace."
Davidson's day continued, however. He also stepped into the batter's box for the first time in his career after serving as a two-time first-team All-MEAC selection as a relief pitcher during his career.
The righty, unfortunately, was not able to get a hit in two at-bats.
Senior Camden Williamson and junior Justin Williams both launched home runs in their last game at #TheWar. Williams' shot marked his eighth of the season, leading the MEAC and also his last collegiate at-bat.
"Really neat in the bottom of the eighth to see Justin Williams hit that home run in his last career at-bat," said Hall. "An amazing story … He will always be able to look back and remember that moment with joy."
The Aggies scored in spurts on Sunday, highlighted by a three-run third and four-run fifth inning.
Williamson's nuke over the right field wall, the 15th home run of his career, got the scoring going in the fifth. The inning also included an infield RBI single from junior Justin Rodriguez and singles from Stanley and junior Zach McLean.
Six Aggies recorded multi-hit games, including senior Dustin Baber, sophomore Tony Mack, Stanley, Williamson, Rodriguez and McLean. Williams and Stanley each had two RBI.
Senior closer Evan Gates came on in a pinch run appearance in the eighth but was only on the base paths for one pitch as Williams sent the first one over the left field fence to bring them both around the diamond. Gates went on to play center field in the ninth inning.
Sophomore Peyton Winebarger (3-2) earned the win, needing only eight pitches to close out the game to go along with two strikeouts.
Senior Justin Fox threw a relief inning in which he had two strikeouts.
The Aggies finish the season winners of five straight, their longest such streak of the year.
