GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T got another strong pitching performance in its three-game softball Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) series against the College of Charleston Cougars, but again, the Cougars were even stronger in the circle, defeating the Aggies in Game 2 of the series, 3-0, at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex on Friday.
Freshman Lauren Hardy (L, 5-5) pitched five innings, giving up three earned runs. Sophomore Aaliyah Williams, who had A&T's strong pitching performance on Thursday, pitched the final two innings of Friday's game without giving up a run or hit. But the Aggies dropped to 12-37 overall and 4-22 in the CAA. Hardy's counterpart, Ryley Kutter (W, 7-6) pitched a two-hit shutout, striking out four. Her performance helped the Cougars move to 29-23 overall and 19-7 in the league.
Hardy ran into trouble early against the Cougars. Leela Langston reached first base on a fielder's choice with two outs. Kennedy Rhue followed with a single, sending Langston to third before Julia Sitterding scored Langston on an RBI single.
Charleston would load the bases on a Karly Smith single before Sierra Paradis grounded out to end Charleston's threat. Hardy only allowed one additional hit between the second and fourth innings to keep the Aggies close. But the Aggies offense could not mount any momentum during Hardy's strong showing. Charleston started to add to its lead in the visitors' fifth.
Austy Miller's RBI double scored Halle Cannon, who opened the frame with a single. Miller advanced to third on a wild pitch before Langston scored her on an RBI single to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead. Rhue hit into a force play, and Sitterding grounded out to end the threat. Smith led off the Charleston sixth, leading to Aaliyah Williams entering the game for Hardy.
After giving up a walk to Paradis, Aaliyah Williams retired the next three batters she faced to end the sixth. It marked the Aggies' first hit of the game. Junior Katriel Williams secured a one-out single in the home sixth, later stealing second to move into scoring position, but the Aggies could not get her home. In the A&T seventh, sophomore Jamari Moss led off with a single.
But the Aggies went down in order after Moss's single to end the ballgame. Smith led the Cougars by going 2-for-3. The two teams will play Game 3 on Saturday at 1 p.m. from the Lady Aggies Softball Complex. Before the game, the Aggies will honor lone senior Joey Barkhimer.
