On Tuesday night at Thomas Stadium, the ETSU Bucs hosted the North Carolina Aggies for a regular season baseball game.
Continuing their eight-game home stand, ETSU went on to defeat the Aggies 15-5.
Earlier this season, ETSU took to the road and defeated the Aggies 17-5.
At the top of the first inning, North Carolina A&T nabbed four runs on four hits, which would seemingly set the pace for the rest of the game. However, the Bucs, fresh off of their conference win against Furman, came out ready to play.
At the bottom of the first, brought ETSU six runs, with senior Robby McCabe batting twice during the inning.
His singles brought in sophomore Dillion Clift and junior Blake Rowlett. Kevin Phillips drove senior Trey York to home plate.
Sophomore Aaron Maher worked the Aggies’ walk, scoring another run for the Bucs.
Junior pitcher Blake Smith closed out an uneventful second inning, leading the Bucs back to the plate.
ETSU took a 7-4 lead in the bottom of the third. To start the fourth inning, ETSU coaches replaced Smith with junior Jamin McCann. Throughout the game, ETSU went through seven different pitchers, including sophomore Dillion Cate, who closed out the game for the Bucs.
The bottom of the fifth proved to be an exciting one from the Bucs. ETSU lead North Carolina A&T 10-4 when they came up to bat.
Sophomore Aaron Maher hit his fourth homerun of the season, elevating the Bucs to a 13-4 lead.
Soon after, senior Kevin Phillips sent one flying down left field, which allowed him pick up his sixth home run of the year. The Bucs ended the fifth inning 14-4.
Since the first inning, the Aggies were not able to pick up a run against the Bucs’ defense.
The sixth inning proved to be another easy one for the Bucs. Pitcher Logan Gentry quickly retired more of the Aggies’ lineup, putting the Bucs back at the plate.
At the top of the eighth, the Bucs allowed the Aggies to pick up one run, taking their run count to five.
The Bucs also picked up one run from junior Danny Carrier during the bottom of the eighth, bringing their score to 15 and their lead to 10 runs once again.
During the ninth inning, the score was held and the Bucs won with a 10-run difference.
Both teams made one error, with the Bucs edging out the Aggies both defensively and offensively.
From this win, the Bucs are poised and confident to take on the Mercer Bears in a three-series conference game beginning April 8.
