The No. 9 Texas A&M baseball team began its run in the 2011 Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park on Friday with a 2-1 loss to Utah.
Junior pitcher John Stilson shrugged off a slow start to set a career high with 10 strikeouts while scattering six hits in six innings of work. He did, however, see his streak of no earned runs to start the season come to a halt in the first as Utah got on the board in the game’s opening half inning.
A leadoff double by Utah shortstop James Brooks began the frame and the Utes were able to cash in later in the inning on an RBI single by first baseman C.J. Cron, who went 2-for-2 in the game.
Stilson settled down after the first and toss five consecutive shutout innings before leaving after the top of the fifth inning with a pitch count of 98.
Texas A&M (8-2) was able to tie the game at 1-1 in the home half of the fifth as junior third baseman Adam Smith led the frame off with a single to left. After a sacrifice bunt and single by Andrew Collazo moved him to third base, Smith was able to plate the equalizer on a safety squeeze by freshman Krey Bratsen.
Junior Nick Fleece (1-1) replaced Stilson in the top of the sixth and became the hard-luck loser in the contest as an unearned run came around to score in the inning.
The Aggies had a chance to tie the game in the seventh when Smith led the inning off with a single and stole second to move into scoring position. The opportunity could not be converted, however, and the game remained 2-1 Utah.
A final A&M rally in the bottom of the ninth came just 90 feet shy from completing the comeback but again fell short. Senior catcher Kevin Gonzalez doubled to left center to begin the inning and was replaced by pinch runner Scott Arthur, who moved to third on a passed ball.
With still no outs in the inning, Utah reliever Tyler Wagner was able to retire the next two batters by strikeout and then get senior shortstop Kenny Jackson to ground out, shutting down the rally attempt.
The Aggies’ run at the Houston College Classic continues Saturday when they face No. 17 Rice in a 7 p.m. match-up. Sophomore right-hander Michael Wacha (2-0, 0.00 ERA) will toe the rubber against Rice freshman righty Austin Kubitza (0-1, 3.86).