OXFORD, Miss. – Mitchell Nau knocked in a pair of runs in the first three innings and the Texas A&M Aggies held on for a 2-1 win over the Ole Miss Rebels in the first game of a Sunday doubleheader on Swayze Field at Oxford-University Stadium. The game went seven innings as part of the SEC Sunday doubleheader policy.
The Aggies pounced on the Rebels for a run in the top of the first. Leadoff batter Mikey Reynolds was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Krey Bratsen. Blake Allemand followed with a seven-pitch walk to put a pair of runners on base. The Aggies put the runners in motion on a 2-2 count to Nau and Nau delivered, driving a ground ball, through the hole the Rebel shortstop vacated to cover second base, for a single plating Reynolds for the 1-0 lead.
Nau gave Texas A&M a 2-0 lead in the top of the third. With two-outs, the Spring, Texas-product muscled a 3-1 offering into the seats in leftfield for his second home run of the season.
Ole Miss (21-3, 3-2 SEC) cut the lead to 2-1 with a solo home run by Stuart Turner in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Turner deposited a 2-0 offering into the home bullpen in leftfield.
Daniel Mengden (4-1) battled to pick up the win on the mound for A&M. He yielded one run on six hits and one walk while striking out two over 5.2 innings. Jason Jester picked up his seventh save of the season, retiring all four batters he faced, including a strikeout to end the sixth inning.
Mike Mayers (2-2) was saddled with the loss, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three over 6.0 innings.
Nau was the lone Aggie to have multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with one run, one home run and two RBI. Mikey Reynolds was held hitless, snapping his consecutive game hit streak at 22 games.
Sikes Orvis went 3-for-3 for Ole Miss.
The Aggies and Rebels wrap up the doubleheader with another seven-inning affair with first pitch at 2:45 pm.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics