CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith established themselves as a force to be reckoned with on Thursday afternoon in Time Warner Cable Arena. The Golden Bulls knocked off the top seed from the Northern Division and defending CIAA Tournament Champion Bowie State University with an 81-77 win over the Bulldogs. They secured a spot in Friday's semi-final game with the victory.
Johnson C. Smith, the fifth seed out of the South, will take on the winner of Thursday night's quarterfinal contest between Winston-Salem State and Elizabeth City State. The Golden Bulls advance to the semi-finals with a 15-13 record.
Golden Bulls assistant coach Mark Sherrill stated, "This was a great win for us today. We executed well and anticipate taking the momentum into the next round."
Coming off the 2013 CIAA Tournament Championship and NCAA DII Atlantic Regional appearance, the Bulldogs' year comes to a disappointing end with a 17-12 overall finish.
Darrell Brooks, Bowie State head coach stated, "Tough way to end the year. I thought the guys did a great job in the second half of coming back. I don't feel like we did a good job defending at all. I give Johnson C. Smith credit; they made tough shots when they had too. I'm still really proud of my guys. They did a good job fighting through adversity. I'm proud; it's just tough to end the year this way."
Ray Gatling led all players in the contest with 23 points in the loss. Carlos Smith and Cameron Knox added 12 and 11 points respectively. LaMarquis Letchaw paced the Golden Bulls with 20 points followed by Emilio Parks with 19. Antwan Wilkerson added 12 points in the victory.
Parks welcomed the Bulldogs to Time Warner Cable Arena with a dunk within the first ten seconds of the game. A layup by Letchaw put the Golden Bulls ahead 4-0 at the 18:48 mark but a three-pointer by Gatling put Bowie State on the board, and cut the deficit to one point. Both teams battled to establish consistency and control but Johnson C. Smith led 11-7 at the first media time out of the game.
After Gatling's free throw at the 15:28 mark, a jumper by Raston Brown for the Golden Bulls sparked an 8-0 run, handing Johnson C. Smith the 19-8 advantage with 13:33 left in the half. A three-pointer by Cameron Knox ended the scoring drought for the Bulldogs but Parks promptly responded with a bucket to build Johnson C. Smith's lead to 21-14 at the 12:01 mark.
Bowie State worked to stay within striking distance and pulled within three points (21-18) using Brian Freeman's jumper at the 10:45 mark. A layup by Letchaw with 7:12 left in the half gave the Golden Bulls a 28-18 advantage, their largest of the half up to that point.
Johnson C. Smith held on to a lead of eight points or more and extended their advantage to 13 points (41-28) with 1:01 on the clock after a layup by Parks. Bowie State trailed 41-32 heading into halftime.
Carlos Smith started the second half with a bucket for the Bulldogs. Joshua Linson responded with a three-pointer and Letchaw followed with a free throw to give the Golden Bulls a 45-34 advantage. Johnson C. Smith kept a tight grip on the advantage, leading 49-36 at the 17:30 mark.
Gatling hit a three-pointer for Bowie, Smith drained a free throw and Gatling netted a jumper with 15:50 remaining in the game to cut the deficit to seven points (49-42). David Golladay's layup capped an 8-0 run for Bowie State and made the score 49-44, restoring faith in the Bulldog crowd.
The rally was short lived as Johnson C. Smith pushed their lead to 11 points (60-49) at the 9:12 mark. Down but not out, the Bulldogs scraped and clawed their way back to pull within five points (67-62) just after the five minute mark. A tip in by Trawn Rogers for the Bulldog with 4:13 on the clock forced the Golden Bulls to take a timeout.
Although Johnson C. Smith held on to the lead, the Bulldogs refused to go away quietly. With the score 75-68 and 1:45 left on the clock, Zafir Williams made a layup and Gatling drained two free throws, allowing Bowie State to pull within five points. Trailing 77-72, Knox used a three-pointer to move the Bulldogs within a mere two points of Johnson C. Smith (77-75). The teams exchanged baskets in the final minute of play, with the Golden Bulls earning the 81-77 victory.
Box Score
COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
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Thursday, February 27, 2014
Livingstone Advances to Semi-Finals, Defeats SAU 75-63
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- CIAA Player of the Year Mark Thomas scored a game-high 28 points and backcourt mate Jody Hill added 19 points to lead Livingstone College to a 75-63 men's basketball quarterfinal win over Saint Augustine's University in the CIAA Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on Thursday, February 27, 2014.
The victory sends the Blue Bears (19-7 overall) to Friday's semifinals against either Fayetteville State University or Lincoln (Pa.). The Blue Bears, the top-seeded Southern Division team, are looking to reach the championship game for the third time in four years including last year.
Tashaun Stockdale and Joel Kindred scored 13 points apiece for the Falcons (13-16 overall), the No. 6 seed in the Southern Division. Amere May added 10 points.
Thomas, named Food Lion MVP of the game, scored 18 points in the second half to ignite the Blue Bears, who shot 49 percent in the final 20 minutes. Hill added seven points as the Blue Bears opened the half with a 19-10 run for a 49-38 lead with 13:40 left in the game. Thomas scored eight points during the spurt including a layup that put the Blue Bears up by 11.
The Falcons climbed back within four points at 57-53 on Kindred's layup with 6:22 remaining. His basket completed a 15-8 run.
The Blue Bears pulled away with a 10-2 run for a 67-55 lead with 3:41 left. Thomas scored eight points during the run. Kindred scored for the Falcons with 1:48 remaining to cut their deficit to eight at 69-61, but they would get no closer.
The Blue Bears shot 43 percent from the floor overall while the Falcons shot 33 percent. Most of the Blue Bears' points came in the paint, where they held a 40-24 advantage.
"We didn't get off to a great start, but Saint Augustine's had something to do with that," Livingstone Head Coach James Stinson said. "Once we started getting in transition, it started to loosen up for us."
The Falcons carried the momentum of Wednesday's second-round victory over Chowan University into the first half. The Blue Bears led 5-2 early, but the Falcons opened a 17-7 lead on a 15-2 run. Stockdale scored five points during that stretch for the Falcons.
"The guys were ready to play," said Saint Augustine's Head Coach Tony Sheals, whose squad lost twice to the Blue Bears including a one-point overtime defeat at home on February 19. "We knew we could play them, and it would be a dogfight."
The Blue Bears pulled within 17-13, but May knocked down two free throws for a six-point Falcons' lead. The Blue Bears seized control late in the half when Hill scored 10 points during a 17-9 run in the last 6:26 for a 30-28 halftime lead.
Hill and Thomas had 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the first half for the Blue Bears, who shot 37 percent. Stockdale and May each had seven points for the Falcons, who shot 28 percent. There were two lead changes and the score was tied three times in the first 20 minutes.
The Falcons won the rebounding battle 25-21 in the first half including a 9-5 edge o
n the offensive boards. It led to an 8-6 edge in second chance points for the Falcons. The Blue Bears outscored the Falcons in the paint 14-10.
COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE BLUEBEARS SPORTS INFORMATION
The victory sends the Blue Bears (19-7 overall) to Friday's semifinals against either Fayetteville State University or Lincoln (Pa.). The Blue Bears, the top-seeded Southern Division team, are looking to reach the championship game for the third time in four years including last year.
Tashaun Stockdale and Joel Kindred scored 13 points apiece for the Falcons (13-16 overall), the No. 6 seed in the Southern Division. Amere May added 10 points.
Thomas, named Food Lion MVP of the game, scored 18 points in the second half to ignite the Blue Bears, who shot 49 percent in the final 20 minutes. Hill added seven points as the Blue Bears opened the half with a 19-10 run for a 49-38 lead with 13:40 left in the game. Thomas scored eight points during the spurt including a layup that put the Blue Bears up by 11.
The Falcons climbed back within four points at 57-53 on Kindred's layup with 6:22 remaining. His basket completed a 15-8 run.
The Blue Bears pulled away with a 10-2 run for a 67-55 lead with 3:41 left. Thomas scored eight points during the run. Kindred scored for the Falcons with 1:48 remaining to cut their deficit to eight at 69-61, but they would get no closer.
The Blue Bears shot 43 percent from the floor overall while the Falcons shot 33 percent. Most of the Blue Bears' points came in the paint, where they held a 40-24 advantage.
"We didn't get off to a great start, but Saint Augustine's had something to do with that," Livingstone Head Coach James Stinson said. "Once we started getting in transition, it started to loosen up for us."
The Falcons carried the momentum of Wednesday's second-round victory over Chowan University into the first half. The Blue Bears led 5-2 early, but the Falcons opened a 17-7 lead on a 15-2 run. Stockdale scored five points during that stretch for the Falcons.
"The guys were ready to play," said Saint Augustine's Head Coach Tony Sheals, whose squad lost twice to the Blue Bears including a one-point overtime defeat at home on February 19. "We knew we could play them, and it would be a dogfight."
The Blue Bears pulled within 17-13, but May knocked down two free throws for a six-point Falcons' lead. The Blue Bears seized control late in the half when Hill scored 10 points during a 17-9 run in the last 6:26 for a 30-28 halftime lead.
Hill and Thomas had 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the first half for the Blue Bears, who shot 37 percent. Stockdale and May each had seven points for the Falcons, who shot 28 percent. There were two lead changes and the score was tied three times in the first 20 minutes.
The Falcons won the rebounding battle 25-21 in the first half including a 9-5 edge o
n the offensive boards. It led to an 8-6 edge in second chance points for the Falcons. The Blue Bears outscored the Falcons in the paint 14-10.
COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE BLUEBEARS SPORTS INFORMATION
Florida A&M receives historic $85 million gift
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Today, Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced it received an in-kind software grant from Siemens Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software, with a commercial value of more than $85 million.
The in-kind grant gives students access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries, including: automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding and high-tech electronics.
Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.
“As product complexity continues to grow, students who are able to use PLM software technology are expected to be highly recruited,” said Bill Boswell, Siemens PLM Software senior director of partner strategy. “Siemens PLM Software is honored to have Florida A&M University as one of our academic partners to help build the next generation of engineers.”
The in-kind grant gives students access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries, including: automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding and high-tech electronics.
Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.
“As product complexity continues to grow, students who are able to use PLM software technology are expected to be highly recruited,” said Bill Boswell, Siemens PLM Software senior director of partner strategy. “Siemens PLM Software is honored to have Florida A&M University as one of our academic partners to help build the next generation of engineers.”
"FAMU to Use Same Technology in Classrooms that Companies Worldwide Depend on to Design Today’s Most Sophisticated Products"
The in-kind grant was provided by Siemens PLM Software’s academic program that delivers PLM software technology to more than one million students yearly at more than 12,000 global institutions. The software provided is used at every academic level – from grade schools to graduate engineering research programs.
Siemens PLM Software is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with 7 million licensed seats and more than 71,000 customers worldwide, delivering open solutions to help its customers make smarter decisions that result in better products.
The in-kind grant for FAMU includes Siemens PLM Software’s Teamcenter® portfolio, the world’s most widely used digital lifecycle management software; Tecnomatix® portfolio, the industry-leading digital manufacturing software; NX™ software, a leading integrated solution for computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) and the Fibersim™ portfolio of software for composites engineering.
According to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Professor Tarik Dickens, Ph.D., participating in the Siemens partnership and grant program is not only an opportunity for FAMU to provide world-class training and resources for its students and faculty, but also an opportunity to help address the growing opportunities and challenges in the manufacturing industry.
“This generous gift will provide engineering students with state-of-the-art software for digital manufacturing, thus making our students more attractive to the industry and providing a greater academic platform,” said Dickens, who completed the research and grant application for the Siemens academic partnership on behalf of the university. “This partnership is vital in training our engineers as they enter the workforce, and thus enabling them to continue the push for engineering excellence.”
According to Vice President for University Advancement Thomas Haynes, Ph.D., the in-kind grant award from Siemens will be a key component in continuing FAMU's mission to produce world-class innovators in the STEM areas.
“This landmark partnership with Siemens will be a great asset to FAMU’s continued quest to be the best in its class when it comes to supporting faculty and their work, as well as developing students with cutting-edge skills and technology access,” Haynes said. “This partnership helps to position FAMU to support Florida’s growing manufacturing sector and to become a world leader in meeting the growing needs of employers and preparing students for significant, high-paying STEM careers.”
Founded on October 3, 1887, Florida A&M University is part of the State University System of Florida and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more than 125 years, FAMU has served the citizens of the State of Florida, the nation and the world through its preeminent educational programs. FAMU, “Florida's Opportunity University,” is committed to meeting the challenges and needs of future generations.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS
The in-kind grant was provided by Siemens PLM Software’s academic program that delivers PLM software technology to more than one million students yearly at more than 12,000 global institutions. The software provided is used at every academic level – from grade schools to graduate engineering research programs.
Siemens PLM Software is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with 7 million licensed seats and more than 71,000 customers worldwide, delivering open solutions to help its customers make smarter decisions that result in better products.
The in-kind grant for FAMU includes Siemens PLM Software’s Teamcenter® portfolio, the world’s most widely used digital lifecycle management software; Tecnomatix® portfolio, the industry-leading digital manufacturing software; NX™ software, a leading integrated solution for computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) and the Fibersim™ portfolio of software for composites engineering.
According to FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Professor Tarik Dickens, Ph.D., participating in the Siemens partnership and grant program is not only an opportunity for FAMU to provide world-class training and resources for its students and faculty, but also an opportunity to help address the growing opportunities and challenges in the manufacturing industry.
“This generous gift will provide engineering students with state-of-the-art software for digital manufacturing, thus making our students more attractive to the industry and providing a greater academic platform,” said Dickens, who completed the research and grant application for the Siemens academic partnership on behalf of the university. “This partnership is vital in training our engineers as they enter the workforce, and thus enabling them to continue the push for engineering excellence.”
According to Vice President for University Advancement Thomas Haynes, Ph.D., the in-kind grant award from Siemens will be a key component in continuing FAMU's mission to produce world-class innovators in the STEM areas.
“This landmark partnership with Siemens will be a great asset to FAMU’s continued quest to be the best in its class when it comes to supporting faculty and their work, as well as developing students with cutting-edge skills and technology access,” Haynes said. “This partnership helps to position FAMU to support Florida’s growing manufacturing sector and to become a world leader in meeting the growing needs of employers and preparing students for significant, high-paying STEM careers.”
Founded on October 3, 1887, Florida A&M University is part of the State University System of Florida and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more than 125 years, FAMU has served the citizens of the State of Florida, the nation and the world through its preeminent educational programs. FAMU, “Florida's Opportunity University,” is committed to meeting the challenges and needs of future generations.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS
FAMU Rattler Hoopsters Breeze Past EWC Tigers 104-69
Hot-shooting FAMU scorched the nets
for 54 percent shooting from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range as
they coasted to a Wednesday night win
TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Red-hot shooting by the Florida A&M University Men’s Basketball team boosted them to a 104-69 runaway win over visiting Edward Waters College at the Al Lawson Center Wednesday night.
The homestanding Rattlers (12-16) got off to the races from the opening tip, shooting 56.4 percent (22 of 39) from the floor and 61.5 percent (8 of 13) from three-point range to race to a 54-32 halftime lead.
FAMU’s dynamic duo of Reggie Lewis (17) and Jamie Adams (16) combined for 33 of the Rattlers’ 54 first-half points. Lewis finished with a game-high 25 points, followed by Adams with 24, who also dished out 10 assists.
Three other Rattlers scored in double figures led by Pierre Crawford’s 13 points and 12 points each from Jomari Bradshaw and Christopher Rozier.
Reggie Lewis knocked down back to back three pointers to open the game for FAMU, as he and Adams sparked the Rattlers to an 11-pointlead, 19-8 with 14:33 left, an the race was on.
A Bradshaw three-pointer with 7:10 left extended the FAMU lead to 36-15, and a layup by Adams with 1:22 left in the half extended the Rattlers’ edge to 28, at 54-26.
Edward Waters (16-10), could make no headway against the Rattler attack, adding fuel to the fire by committing 19 turnovers while shooting just 39.7 percent from the floor.
Antonio Valiente tied for game high scoring honors with Lewis, finishing with 25 points to lead the visiting Tigers. Nathaniel Hill scored 14 points and Carlton Darling and Robert Ellis each tossed in 10 .
In the second half, the game got completely out of hand as all 10 Rattlers scored.
Trey Kellum’s layup with 15:21 to play extended the FAMU lead to 30 points, 66-36, and Christopher Rozier’s three-pointer with 7:58 pushed the edge to 41, at 94-53, and his jumper with 4:25 left gave the Rattlers 100 points on the night.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers travel to Baltimore to take on Morgan State at Hill Fieldhouse Monday night, before closing the regular season at home next Thursday against Bethune-Cookman.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
TSU's Amber Hughes Named OVC Female Freshman of the Year
AMBER HUGHES (Center) Freshman Hurdler/Jumper Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia High School: Frederick Douglas COURTESY SAM JORDAN/TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS |
Hughes was one of the Tigerbelles’ top performers this season and recorded the best finish in the OVC in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.37 seconds at the Southern Miss Cupid Classic two weeks ago.
At the same invitational, the Atlanta, Ga, native clocked a 24.64 in the 200-meter dash, which is the fourth fastest time in the league.
The freshman also played a part in the Tennessee State 4x400-meter relay team taking top marks in the conference with a 3:24.55 showing at the Samford Multi and Invitational Indoor on Feb. 7.
Hughes and the rest of the TSU track and field team will compete tomorrow in the 2014 OVC Indoor Track and Field Championship hosted by Tennessee State. The events will kick off at 9 a.m. and continue until Saturday night.
Maynor reflects on Hayes’ retirement
WILLIAM "Bill" HAYES |
Maynor, who first arrived at Winston-Salem State as skinny 18-year-old freshman in 1987, couldn’t have imagined the impact Hayes would have on him.
“He’s been a father figure, a best friend and a mentor to me,” Maynor said when told about Hayes’ retirement. “It’s a sad, sad day for Winston-Salem State and for HBCUs in general because the man is a living legend.”
Maynor, a quarterback, helped the Rams win the CIAA title his freshman year. After that, Maynor left WSSU to go with Hayes to N.C. A&T.
Maynor also helped Hayes win a MEAC title at N.C. A&T.
CONTINUE READING
A&T Gets Rare Win Over Elon
GREENSBORO, North Carolina – North Carolina
A&T left-hander DarAmani Swift didn’t pitch a gem, but he was brilliant in
pitching himself out of jams. Elon stranded 12 runners on Wednesday afternoon as
the Aggies picked a rare win over the Phoenix, 5-3, at War Memorial
Stadium.
The Aggies (4-2) won their third straight by beating the Phoenix for the first time since March 11, 2007 when they won 14-9 at Elon. It was also just the third time in the 30-game series history A&T came away with a win over the Phoenix. Elon has not been too bad this season either with win two wins over Cincinnati, three blowout wins over Wagner and a win over UNC Wilmington. The Phoenix’s only lost was to nationally-ranked N.C. State.
But Swift, in his first career start, and the defense behind him was instrumental in slowing down the Phoenix (6-2). Swift (1-0) pitched six innings with three strikeouts, six hits surrendered and six walks. But he only gave up one run.
“I told him, bottom line, you’ve got to go out and throw strikes and make them hit the ball,” said A&T coach Joel Sanchez. “He threw six innings. He hasn’t thrown that many in a while, so we like what we saw from him. The only bad thing is; he walked six. But he got himself out. He made good pitches when he needed to and got some big outs.”
A&T’s offense gave Swift a cushion early. Leadoff man Ryan Hill opened the Aggies first inning with a triple to left field. Junior Brandon Mitchell followed with a pop fly to left field that Elon’s Casey Jones lost in the sun and dropped. Hill scored on the error for the Aggies first run. As he has done in many plate appearances this season, senior slugger Luke Tendler walked, putting two men on.
Cameron Jergens loaded the bases with a single to right, which set up Lester Salcedo’s RBI sacrifice fly to right to score Mitchell from third and move Tendler from second to third. Junior Brandon Wilkerson drove in the third and final run of the inning by hitting into a force play that allowed Tendler to score.
An errant throw by Elon catcher Chris King with Tendler going to third allowed Tendler to score in the third inning to give A&T a 4-0 lead. Tendler’s RBI double in the fifth scored Ryan Hill for a five-run Aggies lead.
The Aggies leads would be threatened several times throughout the afternoon. But Swift seemed to throw the right pitch or Elon seemed to make the crucial base-running mistake or A&T’s defense seemed to come up with the big defensive play at the right moment to help Swift escape.
In the first, Elon put together consecutive singles by Jones and Danny Lynch. The hits ended up being harmless because prior to the two hits, Swift picked off Sebastian Gomez going to second. When Ryan Cooper grounded out, Swift was out of the jam.
Elon left two stranded in the third. In the fourth, Elon had two hits against Swift, but Jones was caught stealing and Cooper ended the inning with a fly out. The Phoenix also stranded two in the fifth.
After walking Andy Moore to open the seventh, Sanchez went with right-hander Jamal Clark. Quinn Bower greeted Clark with a single through the right side. An infield hit by Gomez loaded the bases as the Aggies were not able to get out of this jam without damage. Jones’ groundout scored the Phoenix’s first run. A Kyle Clary error at third helped the Phoenix score its second run. Cooper would hit into a force play, which brought home Gomez to make it 5-3.
King would then hit a shallow pop fly down the left field line that Mitchell ran down from his shortstop position as he made a diving catch to end the Phoenix threat.
“He’s back at shortstop. He probably needed to be there the whole time,” said Sanchez, referring to Mitchell starting the season at second base. “He’s been playing solid defense. He’s a good tools guy. Defensively, we made some good plays for our pitchers the whole game.”
Elon threatened again in the eighth as Nick Zammarelli singled and Moore walked. Right-hander Brian Poag entered the game and retired the next two batters to end the inning. Elon put the tying run on again in the ninth thanks to an error, but Poag struck out D.J. Paone and King and got Cooper to ground out to pick up his first save of the season.
Left-hander Tyler Manez (0-2) took the loss. Tendler went 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored. Hill also scored twice. The Aggies begin conference play Saturday with a 1 p.m., doubleheader against N.C. Central at War Memorial Stadium. The series concludes on Sunday with a 1 p.m., showdown.
BOX SCORE
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
The Aggies (4-2) won their third straight by beating the Phoenix for the first time since March 11, 2007 when they won 14-9 at Elon. It was also just the third time in the 30-game series history A&T came away with a win over the Phoenix. Elon has not been too bad this season either with win two wins over Cincinnati, three blowout wins over Wagner and a win over UNC Wilmington. The Phoenix’s only lost was to nationally-ranked N.C. State.
But Swift, in his first career start, and the defense behind him was instrumental in slowing down the Phoenix (6-2). Swift (1-0) pitched six innings with three strikeouts, six hits surrendered and six walks. But he only gave up one run.
“I told him, bottom line, you’ve got to go out and throw strikes and make them hit the ball,” said A&T coach Joel Sanchez. “He threw six innings. He hasn’t thrown that many in a while, so we like what we saw from him. The only bad thing is; he walked six. But he got himself out. He made good pitches when he needed to and got some big outs.”
A&T’s offense gave Swift a cushion early. Leadoff man Ryan Hill opened the Aggies first inning with a triple to left field. Junior Brandon Mitchell followed with a pop fly to left field that Elon’s Casey Jones lost in the sun and dropped. Hill scored on the error for the Aggies first run. As he has done in many plate appearances this season, senior slugger Luke Tendler walked, putting two men on.
Cameron Jergens loaded the bases with a single to right, which set up Lester Salcedo’s RBI sacrifice fly to right to score Mitchell from third and move Tendler from second to third. Junior Brandon Wilkerson drove in the third and final run of the inning by hitting into a force play that allowed Tendler to score.
An errant throw by Elon catcher Chris King with Tendler going to third allowed Tendler to score in the third inning to give A&T a 4-0 lead. Tendler’s RBI double in the fifth scored Ryan Hill for a five-run Aggies lead.
The Aggies leads would be threatened several times throughout the afternoon. But Swift seemed to throw the right pitch or Elon seemed to make the crucial base-running mistake or A&T’s defense seemed to come up with the big defensive play at the right moment to help Swift escape.
In the first, Elon put together consecutive singles by Jones and Danny Lynch. The hits ended up being harmless because prior to the two hits, Swift picked off Sebastian Gomez going to second. When Ryan Cooper grounded out, Swift was out of the jam.
Elon left two stranded in the third. In the fourth, Elon had two hits against Swift, but Jones was caught stealing and Cooper ended the inning with a fly out. The Phoenix also stranded two in the fifth.
After walking Andy Moore to open the seventh, Sanchez went with right-hander Jamal Clark. Quinn Bower greeted Clark with a single through the right side. An infield hit by Gomez loaded the bases as the Aggies were not able to get out of this jam without damage. Jones’ groundout scored the Phoenix’s first run. A Kyle Clary error at third helped the Phoenix score its second run. Cooper would hit into a force play, which brought home Gomez to make it 5-3.
King would then hit a shallow pop fly down the left field line that Mitchell ran down from his shortstop position as he made a diving catch to end the Phoenix threat.
“He’s back at shortstop. He probably needed to be there the whole time,” said Sanchez, referring to Mitchell starting the season at second base. “He’s been playing solid defense. He’s a good tools guy. Defensively, we made some good plays for our pitchers the whole game.”
Elon threatened again in the eighth as Nick Zammarelli singled and Moore walked. Right-hander Brian Poag entered the game and retired the next two batters to end the inning. Elon put the tying run on again in the ninth thanks to an error, but Poag struck out D.J. Paone and King and got Cooper to ground out to pick up his first save of the season.
Left-hander Tyler Manez (0-2) took the loss. Tendler went 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored. Hill also scored twice. The Aggies begin conference play Saturday with a 1 p.m., doubleheader against N.C. Central at War Memorial Stadium. The series concludes on Sunday with a 1 p.m., showdown.
BOX SCORE
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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