Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina A&T came away with a win in game one of the series against Campbell, allowing just one hit in the final 4.1 innings to win 8-7 at War Memorial Stadium Friday afternoon.
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The teams are now tied at 9-10 in Coastal Athletic Association competition. The Aggies improved to 15-29 overall, while the Camels fell to 18-26.
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Mason Smith started on Friday for the first time this season, and he was matched up against Angel Ortiz. Smith was credited with the loss, and he now has a 2-5 record.
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Joe Simpson opened the scoring with his third home run in the past two games, sending a two-run shot to left field in the top of the third inning.
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The Aggies took the lead in the bottom of the frame with a long ball of their own, a three-run shot by designated hitter Andrew Tinsley.
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Their lead did not last long, as
Andrew Schuldt sent the first pitch of the fourth inning over the left field wall to tie the game at three. Later in the frame,
Jonah Oster hit a solo home run of his own to put the Camels ahead, 4-3.
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Simpson continued the scoring in the fourth with his second home run of the day to give the Camels a 6-3 lead.
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Smith followed that with his first 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth to keep the three-run advantage for CU.
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Andrew Keller, Oster and
Ben Karpowicz combined for three-straight two-out singles to add another run for the Camels and forced A&T to the bullpen. Taili Thompson forced
Wilson Woodcox into a flyout, limiting the damage. Thompson went on to earn the win, moving his record to 2-2 on the year.
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Ortiz (strikeouts) ended his day with 4.2 innings, and the Camels recorded 11 hits and four home runs off the starter, but he came away with a no-decision thanks to the Aggies scoring five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead back, 8-7.
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Smith started the frame with a strikeout, then a hit-by-pitch and a walk put two runners on base for N.C. A&T. JT Taylor followed with an RBI single, his one hit on the day.
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Tinsley hit another single to load the bases, then Savoi Edwards hit a two-RBI single through the right side. Enrique Wood was then hit by a pitch to load the bases before Nick DiCarlo hit an RBI single to right field.
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Peyton Brown replaced Smith on the mound, and he walked Kristian Amaro before inducing a 5-4-3 double play from Jason Campo to end the inning.
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Each team was scoreless in the sixth inning, and the Aggies brought out Diego Barrett from the bullpen to start the seventh inning on the mound. He retired the Camels in order to help N.C. A&T hold onto its one-run lead.
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Brown continued his strong effort out of the bullpen with another zero in the bottom of the seventh. The Aggies had two two-out singles before Brown induced a groundout to the third baseman to leave two runners on base.
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Brown continued his scoreless streak in through the eighth inning.
Nick Biasi entered with two outs and two runners on base, striking out the final batter for the final out.
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Barrett struck out the side in order in the ninth inning, earning his first save of the season. Thompson and Barrett combined to allow just one hit and one walk in the final 4.1 innings of the game.
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UP NEXT
The series schedule has been adjusted. The teams will play a double-header tomorrow, Saturday May 3, at War Memorial Stadium beginning at 11:00 a.m. Both games will be streamed on FloCollege.
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