CULLOWHEE, NC – North Carolina A&T held off a fierce rally from Presbyterian College on Friday during the first day of the Second Annual Catamount Classic hosted by Western Carolina University (WCU) to defeat the Blue Hose 12-11 at the Catamount Softball Complex.

Later in the day, the Aggies lost to WCU 11-0 in five innings. After a 1-1 day, the Aggies are 3-10 this season.

Against the Blue Hose, the Aggies slugged six extra base hits, including a home run from junior Megan Ellis and a triple from sophomore Destiny Sims. Ellis went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs. In addition, sophomore Jamari Moss drove in three runs, and Sims had a 3-for-4 day with three runs scored and an RBI.

Before Presbyterian made its strong comeback attempt, it was A&T who rallied first. The Blue Hose took a 3-0 lead off senior A&T starter Joey Barkhimer (W, 2-2) in the visitor's first inning before Ellis got the Aggies on the board with a solo homer in the home team's second. It was Ellis's first career home run.

Presbyterian grew its lead to 6-2 by scoring two runs in the visitor's fifth before the Aggies put together a massive bottom of the fifth.

Barkhimer opened the inning with a double down the left field line off Presbyterian starter Kasey Wolfe (L, 2-3). Freshman pinch runner Aaliyah Lassiter replaced Barkhimer on the base paths before freshman Roshell Williams reached on an error that advanced Lassiter to third. After a Katriel Williams flyout, Roshell Williams stole second, setting up Sims's RBI single to center field to score Lassiter.

Wolfe walked freshman Jaden James to load the bases before striking out Ayanna Mears. But Moss delivered a significant blow to the Blue Hose with a base-clearing three-run double to right center to tie the game at 6-6.

Ellis secured another RBI when she doubled home Moss to give the Aggies a 7-6 advantage. Ellis's hit led to Wolfe's departure as Presbyterian replaced her with Kelley Grice. Junior Camryn Caldwell greeted her with an RBI single to give the Aggies an 8-6 lead before the inning ended on a pop-out by Barkhimer.

A&T's offense kept producing in the sixth as Katriel Williams earned a one-out walk before Sims doubled to put Aggies at second and third. James's bunt single off Presbyterian reliever Kayla Roberts loaded the bases. Roberts followed by hitting sophomore Trinity Glover with a 2-2 pitch to force Katriel Williams in from third.

After Moss fouled out, the Aggies posted another run on a passed ball before an error scored James and Glover to put the Aggies ahead 12-6, giving A&T 10 unanswered runs against the Blue Hose.

But the Blue Hose put together an impressive comeback attempt in the visitor's seventh. Blair Darby opened the scoring with a home run before RBI singles from Baxleigh Arnette and Wolfe cut A&T's lead to 12-9.

Arnette's single led to the Aggies replacing Barkhimer with Aaliyah Williams (S, 1). Mallory Fletcher brought the Blue Hose closer to the lead with a two-run single, cutting the Aggies lead to 12-11. But Darby struck out looking against Aaliyah Williams to clinch the win.

Aaliyah Williams had four strikeouts against WCU after entering the game in relief for Lauren Hardy (L, 0-2). Catamounts starter AG Baston (W, 2-3) pitched five innings, surrendering only two hits and striking out two.

A&T continues play in the classic on Saturday with a 10 a.m. game against Presbyterian and a 12:30 p.m. contest versus Rhode Island.