Riley hit two home runs on Sunday

GREENSBORO, April 22, 2009 – For most of the season, the talk around the North Carolina A&T baseball team’s youth has centered around slugger Xavier Macklin and pitcher Esterlin Paulino.

Over the weekend, Aggies second baseman Marquis Riley entered the conversation. Riley batted .550 in five games last week to earn MEAC Rookie of the Week honors. Riley (5-foot-11, Efland, N.C.) improved his batting average by 62 points during the week.

Riley was 11-for-20 at the plate with five runs scored, two doubles and seven RBIs. He is now batting .294 with three home runs and 15 RBIs. All three of Riley’s home runs came during a three-game series against Savannah State over the weekend. Riley’s first home run of the season went flying over the right field wall. Riley’s two home runs on Sunday also went to right field.

Riley’s slugging percentage for the week was an amazing 1.100. He went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored against Winthrop. Against USC Upstate, he was 2-for-3. Riley started the season at first base. But thanks to the Aggies getting healthy, head coach Keith Shumate moved him to second base where he feels Riley will be more effective.