MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Junior Jamari Moss hit another home run, sophomore Anaya Merritt had a career game, and junior Aaliyah Williams (W, 3-2) had her normal dominant performance in the circle to lead the North Carolina A&T softball team to an 8-1 win over the Bradley Braves in A&T's first game of the Blues City Invitational hosted by the University of Memphis at the Tigers Softball Complex on Friday.

The Aggies lost later in the day to the University of Kentucky Wildcats, 5-0.

Against the Braves, the Aggies offense produced a season-high 12 hits, led by Merritt, who went 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Juniors Destiny Sims and Shandi Brown also had multiple-hit games, with Sims going 2-for-3 with two runs and Brown posting a 2-for-4 day that included an RBI. Bradley got on the board first before the Aggies rattled off eight unanswered runs for the blowout win.

Bradley's lone run came in the visitors' second on an RBI single from Hannah Brooks. Williams allowed only two base runners after the second inning on her way to pitching a complete-game five-hitter that included three strikeouts. Meanwhile, the Aggies offense got cranking in their half of the second inning.

Sophomore Tyra Robinson opened the frame with a double. Sophomore Ayanna Mears's sacrifice bunt moved Robinson to third before a strikeout gave the Braves two outs in the inning. It appeared the Braves would escape the run without any damage done, but freshman Taniyah Thomas reached on a throwing error, which allowed Robinson to tie the game at 1-1.

A&T added to its lead in the third when junior Bria Finley, who played two years at Howard University, hit her first career home run, a two-run blast to left field that also sent home Sims. With two on and one out in the fourth, the Aggies added another run on an RBI single up the middle by Merritt to put the Aggies ahead 4-1. However, it would be the sixth inning where the Aggies took complete control. Bradley pitcher Abby Rusher (L, 2-4) opened the inning by hitting A&T junior Trinity Glover with a 0-1 pitch. Freshman Tia Montgomery replaced Glover on the base paths, and after a flyout, Montgomery stole second to set up Brown's RBI single through the right side. Merritt followed with a single and advanced to second while Brown was thrown out trying to reach third.

However, Sims kept the inning going with a single to set up the biggest blow of the game. Moss hit a three-run homer to left field, giving the Aggies a seven-run lead. Moss had eight career home runs coming into the 2026 season. She has four this season alone. Kinsley Robertson replaced Rusher in the circle after the Moss home run and got Finley to fly out to right to end the rally.

Williams went back into the circle for the seventh and made quick work of the Braves to seal the victory. Sophomore Lauren Hardy (L, 1-2) stepped inside the circle against the UK Wildcats and went 5.1 innings against the SEC school, striking out two without walking a batter while giving five runs on eight hits. Her counterpart, Sarah Haendiges (W, 3-1), pitched a complete-game three-hit shutout and struck out 12 along the way.

UK got solo home runs from Peyton Plotts and Maddy Anson. The Wildcats also got RBI sacrifice flies from Anson and Katie Hirschy, along with an RBI single from Karissa Hamilton to make up their scoring.

Tournament play continues on Saturday for A&T with an 11 a.m. game with Northern Illinois University and a 3 p.m. game against Memphis.