Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. — An early seven-run lead was not enough as the William & Mary baseball team dropped their CAA opener to North Carolina A&T 11-8 on Friday evening at War Memorial Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED
W&M (6-16, 0-1 CAA) took a commanding early lead, scoring eight runs in the first three innings. First baseman Anthony Greco started the offensive barrage with an RBI single in the first that drove in Ben Parker.

After that, second baseman Derek Holmes lifted a double to right field that would score a pair, putting W&M ahead 3-0.

In the second inning, the Tribe tacked on four more runs. The scoring began with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Greco. After right fielder Christian Rush delivered an RBI double to score Owen Wilson, Holmes came through again with the bat, knocking a two-bagger that drove in Rush and Lucas Carmichael as the visitors went ahead 7-0.

Holmes was 2-for-5 with four RBI.

W&M starter Nick Lottchea had success early on, retiring the side in order in the first and third innings. That was sandwiched around a lone run surrendered in the second inning.

However, the Aggies (5-14, 1-0) were able to drive Lottchea out of the game as they put up seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. The Tribe's lone run in the frame came on a wild pitch that allowed Greco to come home.

North Carolina A&T took the lead with a run in the fifth inning, then added two more in the sixth. The Tribe had a tough time generating offense late as they were held scoreless after the fifth inning with only three hits.

Relievers Phin Scott and Noah Hertzler both put up zeros in the seventh and eight innings, respectively, to keep the deficit at 11-8. However, it was not enough as W&M failed to get more than one runner on base in the final five frames.

The Aggies' Jacob Halford earned the win, delivering four shutout innings in relief. Carter Lovasz was credited with the loss for W&M.

STAT NUGGETS

• W&M collected 12 hits, posting double-digit hits for the fourth straight game.
• Four Tribe batters had multi-hit performances. Greco was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI, while Carmichael went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a double.
• Scott, Hertzler, and RHP Daniel Lingle combined for no runs and one hit over 2 ⅔ innings out of the pen.

UP NEXT
Game two of the series is schedule for Saturday at 2 p.m.