Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG baseball team suffered a 9-8 extra-inning loss to the North Carolina A&T Aggies at NewBridge Bank Park on Tuesday evening. The Spartans fall to 15-6 on the season, while A&T improves to 5-17.
“They played a good game and deserved to win tonight.” Head Coach Link Jarrett said, “We didn't execute our pitches, and when we made a mistake, they capitalized. Offensively, we had moments, but we never delivered a blow like we have in past games. We didn't have the quality at-bat that we needed to win a high-scoring game like that.”
At the plate, UNCG connected for 11 hits in the contest. Tripp Shelton (Winston-Salem, N.C./West Forsyth) led the way with four hits of his own. Shelton connected for his first home run of the season, as well as his team-leading ninth double, to go with two RBI and two runs scored.
Ben Spitznagel (Cincinnati, Ohio/Wabash Valley CC) had a pair of hits, an RBI and one run. Andrew Moritz (Charlotte, N.C./Providence) connected for two hits, with a run scored and an RBI while drawing a pair of walks.
Ryne Sigmon (Danville, Va./Danville CC) finished with a triple, two RBI and a run scored. L.J. Kalawaia (Wailuku, Hawai'i/Ohlone College) had one hit and scored a run. Jake Kusz (Durham, N.C./Riverside) had an RBI single, driving in his 21st run of the season.
UNCG used five different pitchers on Tuesday evening. Jake Lewis (Wendell, N.C./Corinth Holders) started; going 3.1 innings, allowing four hits, five runs, and struck out five. Easton Welch (Randleman, N.C./Randleman) was first out of the bullpen, logging 0.1 innings, and one run. Bryce Hensley (Asheville, N.C./Catawba Valley CC) made his first appearance out of the bullpen, going 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and a pair of runs.
Chad Sykes (Creedmoor, N.C./Voyager Academy) made his 11th appearance out of the bullpen, logging 2.0 shut out innings, striking out three hitters while not allowing a walk. Collin Woody (Tampa, Fla./College of Central Florida) (1-1) threw the final 3.0 innings, surrendering one hit, one run and striking out three.
The Aggies took an early lead, scoring two runs on a two-run home run by Adan Ordonez in the top of the first inning.
UNCG took the lead in the bottom of the first frame. Shelton ripped a one out double and moved to third after A&T's pitcher was called for a balk. Kalawaia drew a walk before executing a double steal allowing Shelton to score. With runners in scoring position, Sigmon belted a triple to straight-away centerfield to score two and put the Spartans up 3-2.
The Spartans added to their lead in the bottom of the third frame, plating two runs. Woody and Sigmon reached via walks and came around to score on singles from Kusz and Moritz to go up 5-2.
The Aggies regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning, plating four runs. A&T picked up four hits, including two doubles to help regain the lead.
A&T continued to add to their lead in the top of the fifth inning, scoring twice more. Myles Sowell hit a single down the right field line with runners on second and third to put the Aggies up 8-5 at the halfway point.
UNCG cut into the lead in the bottom of the sixth frame. Spitznagel singled up the middle before coming home on Shelton's first home run of the season to trim the lead to 8-7 A&T.
The Spartans were able to tie the game up in the bottom of the seventh inning. Moritz led off with a bunt single and stole second base. After advancing to third on a Cesar Trejo (Greensboro, N.C./Ragsdale) fly out, Spitznagel singled through the right side to bring him in and tie the game up.
A&T picked up the win, plating a run in the top of the tenth frame. After Sowell was hit by a pitch, a double from Milton Rivera gave the Aggies the lead and the win.
The Spartans return to action on Thursday, Mar. 24th as they host the Georgetown Hoyas at the UNCG Baseball Stadium at 6:00 p.m.
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