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Senior Mike Caldwell gave up two runs in seven innings to win his third consecutive start and lead the High Point University baseball team to the sweep over North Carolina A&T. High Point beat the Aggies 9-2 Sunday at Williard Stadium.

Caldwell was perfect through four innings, retiring the first 12 Aggies to come to the plate. He gave up two runs on two hits with six strikeouts in seven innings of work to improve to 3-1 on the season.

“I took this game personally,” Caldwell said. “N.C. A&T embarrassed me last year so I knew I needed to come out, execute my pitches and have a good outing. I can't say enough about the guys behind me though, they gave me all the run support I needed and played great defense.”

The Panthers swept North Carolina A&T to improve to 10-7 on the season while the Aggies fall to 6-11. Senior Steve Antolik went 2-4 with four RBI and his third home run of the season. Senior Kyle Mahoney was 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Sal Pezzino and Murray White IV each added two singles.

“Once again our starting pitching set the tone for an outstanding weekend,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “Caldwell was tremendous on the mound and our offense continues to grind out runs. The team has a great mentality right now and we have to keep working hard.”

The Panthers scored in the first inning for the third straight game, putting up four runs. Mike Mercurio doubled to left field to lead off the game and Antolik drove him in with a single through the right side. Antolik scored while trying to steal third when the Aggie catcher threw the ball away. Kyle Mahoney and Zach Tessier each picked up RBI in the frame.

Freshman Preston Packrall was hit by a pitch and scored in the second and Mercurio reached on an error and scored in the four to give the Panthers a 6-0 lead.

Caldwell's bid for a perfect game ended in the fifth inning when he hit the leadoff batter, Marquis Riley. The next batter, Dario Little, doubled down the left field line to end the no hitter. Riley scored on a balk and Little came in on a groundout and the Aggies cut HPU's lead to 6-2. Caldwell got out of the inning and gave up just one more hit through seven innings.

Caldwell has won three consecutive start, bringing his ERA for the season to 3.16. He has given up nine earned runs in 25-2/3 innings this season.

Antolik extended High Point's lead to 9-3 with a three-run homer in the seventh inning. Mercurio and Pezzino each singled and came in to score on Antolik's third home run of the season.

Senior Mikel Rodenberg closed the game on the mound, keeping the Aggies scoreless in the final two innings.

The Panthers continue the eight-game home stand Tuesday with a 6 p.m. game against Appalachian State.