WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary homered twice, including a three-run homer from Witt Scafidi in an explosive first inning, in a 9-5 victory over North Carolina A&T on Friday evening at Plumeri Park.

The Tribe (8-12, 1-3 CAA) picked up its first conference victory of the season.

Chase Ecker led off the game for William & Mary with a first-pitch triple. Jamie Laskofski promptly singled him in on a grounder to second base. After Trey Christman reached on a fielding error, Witt Scafidi cleared the bases with a three-run homer, his first of the season, as the Tribe went ahead 4-0.

Stephen Christopher went two innings in his start, retiring North Carolina A&T (4-16, 2-5) in order in the first before giving up a pair in the second. The Tribe got one run back in the bottom of the inning when Christman delivered an RBI single to score Laskofski, who reached via walk.

Charlie Richwine took the ball in the third and stranded a runner at second base in a scoreless frame. Richwine would go three innings, holding the Aggies scoreless while scattering four hits and striking out three.

In the fourth, Laskofski contributed again when he singled through the right side of the infield to drive in Sam Kaczmarek and put W&M ahead 6-2.

Daniel Lingle took the mound in the top of the sixth. After putting the first two runners aboard, Lingle worked a flyout and got help from his defense with a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.

W&M went deep for the third time when Charlie Iriotakis belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh, giving his team an 8-2 lead.

N.C. A&T would cut the lead to 8-4 when Savoi Edwards hit a two-run homer in the eighth. However, the Green & Gold answered back with a run in the bottom of the frame when Christman singled to drive in Ecker.

Jett Humphreys closed the door in the ninth, setting down the Aggies in order. Richwine picked his first career win. N.C. A&T starter Gavin Sentell was charged with the loss.

STAT NUGGETS

• Laskofski went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
• Christman also had a three-hit outing, going 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI.
• The Tribe stole six bases. Laskofski had two steals, with Christman, Matthew Kosuda, Jackson Woolwine, and Kaczmarek recording one steal apiece.
• W&M's pitching staff struck out 10 batters while walking just five.
• Tom Bourque struck out three over two innings.

UP NEXT
Game two of the series begins at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.