GREENSBORO – Sophomore Ayanna Mears had a big day at the plate and sophomore pitcher Lauren Hardy (W, 2-2) and junior pitcher Aaliyah Williams combined for a one-hit shutout to lead the North Carolina A&T softball team to a 10-0 win in five innings over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Hawks in the first game of a doubleheader played at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex on Sunday.
In the second game, junior Devin Long (W, 3-3) had another strong outing in the circle to help A&T complete the sweep, 5-1. The Aggies evened their record at 11-11, and the Hawks dropped to 2-6 on the season.
In the first game, Mears doubled, tripled, scored twice, and drove in three runs. Meanwhile, Hardy started the game and pitched three innings, giving up the Hawks' lone hit while striking out six and walking only one. Aaliyah Williams pitched the final two innings, holding UMES scoreless while striking out six without giving up a walk or a hit.
A&T got going early in the first game, posting five runs in the home first. Shandi Brown walked against UMES starter Chloe Weber (L, 0-1) and moved around the bases on a stolen base and a throwing error to take a 1-0 lead. Junior Bria Finley followed with a one-out triple and scored on an RBI groundout by junior Jamari Moss.
With the bases cleared and two out, the Aggies kept the rally going with a double from sophomore Tyra Robinson and a walk to Katriel Williams. Mears brought both ladies home with a two-run RBI triple to give the Aggies a 4-0 lead. Junior Trinity Glover finished out the first inning scoring by bringing home Mears with an RBI single.
A&T got another single in the inning from freshman Hailey Darkwa before the frame finally ended on a Brown groundout. Moss added another run for the Aggies in the second with an RBI double to score Finley, who tripled before she came to bat. The Aggies put the run-rule into effect with a four-run third.
The inning opened with a Katriel Williams triple before Mears brought her home with an RBI double down the right field line. Glover followed with an RBI single to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead. Glover scored on a throwing error before Brown, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored on an RBI groundout by Finley.
Aaliyah Williams entered the circle to pitch her perfect fourth and fifth innings to end the game in five innings because the Aggies led by eight or more after five. Finley went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Glover added a 2-for-3 Game 1 that included two RBIs and a run scored. The Aggies totaled six extra base hits, including two doubles and two triples.
A&T had two extra-base hits in Game 2, including a solo home run from Mears. Mears's homer came in the third against UMES starter Dani Brown (L, 1-1). Mears's homer was a part of A&T's four-run third. Sophomores Jaden James and Aniya Merritt followed with singles before Brown loaded the bases with a bunt single.
Finley's RBI sacrifice fly brought home two runs in James and Merritt. A&T added another run on an RBI groundout to give the Aggies a 4-0 advantage.
Meanwhile, Long retired 10 straight batters between the first and fourth innings. Lola Meyer ended the streak with a single in the fourth before Long got Emily Gunter to line out. UMES finally got to Long in the sixth inning, scoring on an RBI sac fly from Kinsley Mentzer. Long recovered by striking out the next two batters to end the frame. UMES then went down in order to complete A&T's sweep.
A&T returns to action Tuesday when it hosts the ACC's Boston College Eagles at the LASC starting at 1 p.m. A&T will start Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) conference play on Friday with the start of a three-game series at Elon. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
