GREENSBORO – A three-run homer in the later innings of a softball game to rally from a three-run deficit might be enough to rattle some teams. But not the North Carolina A&T Aggies on Tuesday afternoon at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex.
A&T withstood North Carolina Central University's (NCCU) momentum-changing home run in the fifth inning to score eight unanswered runs over two innings to defeat the Eagles 14-6 in six innings. The Aggies improved to 2-3 on the season behind a 3-for-4 performance from freshman Ayanna Mears.
Mears's day included two RBIs, two runs scored and a home run. She is batting .571 on the young season. Sophomore teammate Shandi Brown reached base five times, going 2-for-2, walking three times, scoring four runs and driving in two more.
The Aggies took a 5-2 lead thanks to a four-run third inning that included an RBI apiece from Aniya Merritt and Katriel Williams before Mears blasted a two-run home run over the left-field fence. The Eagles added a run in the visitor's fourth before the Aggies answered with another RBI from Williams.
In the NCCU fifth, A&T starting pitcher Joey Barkhimer (W, 1-1) retired the first two Eagles she faced quickly. But she walked Makiya Graves and gave up a single to Takia Nichols before Samaria Jackson launched a three-run homer to left field to tie the game 6-6.
The Aggies had a two-out rally of their own awaiting in their half of the fifth, however.
Junior catcher Camryn Caldwell earned a two-out single up the middle before Barkhimer helped her cause with a double to left field, scoring Caldwell and giving the Aggies the lead back. Freshman Aaliyah Lassiter replaced Barkhimer on the basepaths as a pinch runner and stole third.
NCCU reliever Janea Hudson (L, 0-1) also walked sophomore Destiny Sims who eventually advanced to second base, putting two runners into scoring position. Brown brought them home on a two-run single before eventually scoring on an error to give the Aggies a 10-6 advantage.
Barkhimer returned to the circle in the sixth and opened the frame by retiring the first two batters, including a strike out of Sydney Jones. She gave up a single to Kia Borum but ended the Eagles threat by striking out Daiyah Bailey. Barkhimer's excellent inning allowed the Aggies to put the finishing touches on NCCU.
Mears opened the inning with a single, followed by a double from freshman Jaden James. Caldwell blasted a two-run single to center field to score Mears and James, leaving two runs shy of a run-rule win over the Eagles by leading by eight or more after five innings. Barkhimer kept the rally going with a single advancing freshman pinch runner Tyra Robinson to second. Sims loaded the bases with a bunt single before Robinson scored on a wild pitch to leave the Aggies one win away from victory.
The Aggies loaded the bases again after NCCU reliever Blake Vick walked Brown. The game then ended on an RBI single from Merritt. Borum had three hits for the Eagles, including a double, but NCCU dropped to 1-7.
James, Caldwell and Barkhimer had two hits apiece. Junior Katriel Wiliams had three RBIs. The Aggies return to action on Friday when they begin play in the Sparkle City Invitational Tournament hosted by the USC Upstate. The tournament is Feb. 21-23 in Spartanburg, SC.
