Jones’ hitting streak reaches 12 games

Box Score
GREENSBORO, May 7, 2008 – The two teams usually play twice a year and the UNC Greensboro baseball team usually wins both contests. But not this year. North Carolina A&T got three RBIs from Joe McIntyre and three other Aggies had two hits apiece to lead the Aggies to a 5-3 win over the Spartans UNCG Baseball Stadium.

The Aggies beat the Spartans earlier this season at NewBridge Bank Park. The season-sweep of the Spartans is the Aggies first since the 1991 season. It marked the first time a Keith Shumate coached team has swept the Spartans.

The Aggies took over the game in the fifth and sixth innings. With the Aggies down 2-0, second baseman James Howard led off the fifth for the Aggies by reaching on a fielding error. Jeremy Jones increased his hitting streak to 12 games by singling up the middle to score Howard from second to put the Aggies on the scoreboard.

C.J. Beatty and McIntyre followed with back-to-back singles. McIntyre’s single scored Jones to tie the game at 2. Nelson Santos closed out the Aggies scoring in the fifth with a single through the left side to score Beatty. The Aggies would not allow the Spartans to regain the lead. In the sixth, walks allowed George Hines and Beatty to reach base. McIntyre took advantage of UNCG’s hospitality by doubling to left field to give the Aggies a 5-2 lead.

The Aggie relievers took care of the Spartans from there. John Primus, Tim Johnson and Marquis Frink pitched four innings of solid relief, giving up just three hits and allowing one run. After giving up a one-out walk in the ninth, Frink shut the Spartans down to earn his fifth save of the season. Chris Eggers (5-5) got the win after pitching five innings, giving up six hits and striking out three.

Howard, Jones and Santos had three hits apiece as the Aggies improved to 25-26 on the season. The Aggies return to action Friday at 3 p.m., when they travel to Jackson, Miss., to face Jackson State in doubleheader action. They will conclude the three-game series on Saturday.