WILMINGTON, NC – The North Carolina A&T baseball team moved into a three-way, first-place tie on Friday after defeating the UNC Wilmington Seahawks 5-3 at Brooks Field.
The Aggies improved to 7-16 overall and 3-1 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and are tied for the conference lead early in the CAA season with Northeastern and Campbell. Reigning CAA Rookie of the Week, Tyler Smith led the Aggies with two doubles.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks dropped to 13-13 overall and 1-3 in league play. On Friday, Tanner Thach hit his third career home run against A&T, a two-run blast to lead the Seahawks.
A&T took the lead for good in the visitor's fifth inning off UNCW right-handed starter Connor Kane (L, 1-2). Freshman Bruce Wyche led off the game-deciding frame with a single to left center. Smith followed with a double to put Aggies on second and third before freshman JT Taylor hit an RBI sacrifice fly to right to score Wyche.
Senior AJ Jones added to the lead with an RBI single to give the Aggies a 5-3 lead. A strikeout and a force play allowed Kane to escape the inning without further damage. After leading off the fifth with a single, Wyche also assisted the Aggies defensively in the bottom half.
Following a leadoff walk to Martin Zelenka by A&T starter and RHP Angel Ortiz (W, 4-2). Brady Thompson followed by hitting a rocket to right center. Wyche ran down what looked like a sure extra-base hit to prevent a run from scoring possibly. Ortiz forced a pop-out and a flyout to end the frame.
Ortiz only gave up one hit over the next three innings, completing his day on the mound by throwing eight innings, giving up five hits and three runs while striking out four and walking one in 101 pitches thrown. Senior RHP Jacob Halford (S, 1) entered the game in the ninth inning and retired the Seahawks in order to secure the Aggies second win over UNCW as members of the CAA.
After the Seahawks scored in the first, the Aggies took the lead in the visitor's second. Freshman Savoi Edwards started the rally by reaching base on an error. Sophomore Jason Campo hit a one-out single to center junior Andrew Tinsley loaded the bases with a walk. Kane forced in a run by walking senior Enrique Wood before junior Nick DiCarlo beat out a potential double play, allowing Campo to score for a 2-1 A&T lead.
Jones gave the Aggies a 3-1 with an RBI single in the third after Smith in the first of his two doubles. But Thach's two-run homer tied the game 3-3 before the Aggies took the lead for good in the fifth.
Game 2 at Brooks Field will take place at 4 p.m.
