GREENSBORO, NC – Sean Snell's RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning capped a four-run comeback as UNC Greensboro bested in-city rival North Carolina A&T, 4-3, Wednesday evening from First Horizon Park in downtown Greensboro.
Snell, who finished the game with two hits and a pair of RBIs, smacked a 1-2 pitch into centerfield to score Wes McCall with the game-winning run.
North Carolina A&T (11-16) scored all three of its runs in the top of the first inning to take the early advantage. Nick Mayo drew a walk to start the inning, stole second and eventually came around to score on an error on the Spartan infield. Patrick Oates and William Sunderland each recorded RBI groundouts on the infield to account for the other two runs.
The Spartans (10-16) scored a run in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single through the left side off the bat of leftfield Roly Gonzalez. The Miami, FL native went 2-for-3 for his first two-hit performance of the season.
UNCG cut the deficit to a single run in the fourth inning on an RBI groundout from Snell. Wes McCall led off the frame with a double to leftfield and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from catcher Adam Deleo before Snell collected his first RBI of the night with a ground ball to the shortstop.
Greg Feltes tied the game a three runs apiece in the seventh inning on a groundout to first base. After Snell and Gonzales recorded back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners, Feltes laid down a bunt down the first base line, giving Snell enough time to race home with the equalizer.
UNCG needed some two-out magic in the eighth inning to take the lead for good. After the first two outs had been recorded, McCall and David Adams registered singles before Snell picked up the Spartans' third straight single to put UNCG ahead by a run.
Senior Patrick Currin pitched the ninth to record his second save of the season and extend his scoreless streak to 9-1/3 innings.
Ryan Clear (1-3) picked up his first win of the season after allowing no runs and one hit in an inning on the hill. Left-hander Clay Gibson was brilliant on the hill for the Spartans in relief of starter Greg Martin, limiting the Aggies to no runs and just one hit while striking out five in 5-1/3 innings of mound duty.
Patrick Oates (2-4) took the loss for the Aggies after pitching all eight innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with five punchouts.
UNCG returns to Southern Conference action this weekend when the Spartans travel to Charleston, SC for a three-game series with The Citadel. Game one between the Spartans and Bulldogs is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday evening from Riley Park.
AGATE:
UNC Greensboro 4, North Carolina A&T 3 (Mar 29, 2006 at Greensboro, NC)
North Carolina A&T.. 300 000 000 - 3 7 2 (11-16)
UNC Greensboro...... 010 100 11X - 4 8 1 (10-16)
Pitchers: North Carolina A&T - OATES,P. UNC Greensboro - Greg Martin; Clay Gibson(2);
Ryan Clear(8); Patrick Currin(9).
Win-Ryan Clear(1-3) Save-Patrick Currin(2) Loss-OATES,P(2-4) T-2:25 A-811
- UNCG -
