GREENSBORO, N.C. – Bethune-Cookman was unable to hold onto a first-inning lead Sunday afternoon as the Wildcats dropped the rubber match of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series at North Carolina A&T in an 8-5 setback to the Aggies at War Memorial Stadium. With the win, North Carolina A&T claims the series victory after the two teams split a Saturday doubleheader.
 
Bethune-Cookman (18-27, 12-9 MEAC) began the game fast by scoring four runs in the top-half of the first inning.
 
Junior first baseman Danny Rodriguez registered his seventh home run of the year with a three-run shot to right field, scoring Jameel Edney and Adonis Lao on the play to make it 3-0 in favor of the visiting Wildcats early-on. Zach Spivey would drive in the fourth run by drawing a bases loaded walk, allowing Jordan Stacy to score from third.
 
North Carolina A&T (24-20, 11-6 MEAC) responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning to trim the BCU lead at 4-2.
 
AJ Hunt singled to left center in order to score leadoff man Greg White who singled to begin the N.C. A&T at-bat. Zach McLean later doubled down the left field line to score Hunt from third.
 
After the homestanding Aggies added a run in the second inning, they would eventually take the lead with a pair of runs in the third.
 
BCU sophomore Isaak Gutierrez took over on the mound for starter Tyler Krull to begin the third inning.
 
Designated hitter Adan Ordonez scored Hunt with a single to left, while Dawnoven Smith scored on a fielding error by BCU's Lao in left field. That allowed the Aggies to move ahead, 5-4.
 
The Wildcats knotted the game at 5-all in the top of the fourth as Stacy drew a bases loaded walk – the second of the game for Bethune-Cookman, allowing Lao to trot in on the play.
 
However, North Carolina A&T would reclaim the lead at 6-5 in the home-half of the fourth with Hunt's two-out solo home run to left.
 
The Aggies would add a run in each of the seventh and eighth innings, respectfully, to produce the 8-5 final score.
 
The win was taken by Walfrank Pineiro (1-0) out of the bullpen for N.C. A&T as he worked two innings on the bump, allowing just two hits, two walks and picking up a strikeout. The save went to Jason Jenkins (2) as he worked the final 2.2 innings, producing three strikeouts and allowing just one hit.
 
Isaak Gutierrez (0-2) took the loss for the Maroon and Gold, tossing 2.1 innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk. Starter Tyler Krull went just two innings before being subbed out after allowing three runs on five hits, a walk and a strikeout.
 
Nate Sterijevski, Giovany Lorenzo and Adonis Lao all collected two hits at the dish to lead the BCU offense.
 
Bethune-Cookman will travel to Jacksonville on Wednesday, May 2, for a midweek non-conference matchup against the JU Dolphins. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.
 
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