GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T softball team could not overcome a slow start at home against UNC Wilmington on Friday as the Seahawks defeated the Aggies 10-1 at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex. The Aggies fell to 8-28 overall and 2-14 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). UNCW improved to 22-15 overall and 12-4 in CAA play. 

Two A&T errors complemented UNCW's six-run, six-hit first inning. Both errors occurred with two outs, allowing four unearned runs for UNCW, as A&T graduate starter Kayla Douglas (L, 1-7) left the circle after the first inning. 

Senior Sharla Kirkpatrick opened the second inning in the circle for A&T and retired the Seahawks in order. The Seahawks did get to Kirkpatrick in the third as Tayler Vitola scored two on a single to give UNCW an 8-0 lead. Kirkpatrick struck out Cassidy Relay to end the inning. 

The Aggies got on the board in the home third as UNCW starter Emily Winstead (W, 10-4) walked sophomore outfielder Katriel Williams to open the frame. Williams stole second before Winstead retired the next two batters she faced. Winstead kept A&T's inning alive by walking senior infielder Alyxx Estrada. 

Estrada used the free pass to torment the UNCW defense. She purposely got caught in several rundowns to permit Williams to score. It finally worked when UNCW first baseman Lauren Cope dropped one of the throws in the running down, allowing Williams to score from third. Estrada moved to third on a passed ball before Winstead walked senior Kayla Taylor. But A&T's threat ended on a strikeout. 

Kirkpatrick continued to pitch well in the circle, retiring 10 straight batters before Mary Sobataka reached on an error in the seventh inning. Skylar Stockton made the Aggies pay with a two-run home run to give the Seahawks a 10-1 lead. The Aggies got a leadoff single in the seventh from Williams, but UNCW reliever Carrigan Ewers retired the Aggies to end the game afterward. 

The two teams play Game 2 on Saturday at 1 p.m. from the Lady Aggies Softball Complex.