By Thomas Dick, Texas A&M Athletics Communications
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M Aggies dropped a back-and-forth bout to the Abilene Christian Wildcats, 6-5, Tuesday evening on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
The Aggies struck first, plating one in the first, but gave up the lead with two-run third and one-run fourth by ACU. The Maroon & White reclaimed the lead after a one-run fourth and a three-run fifth highlighted by a Ty Coleman go-ahead two-RBI double. ACU answered back and tied things up in the sixth before taking the outright lead in the ninth, scoring on a sacrifice fly to deep right.
The Maroon & White offense was paced by Ray Alejo, Will Frizzell, and Ty Coleman. Alejo went 2-for-4 with one double and two runs. Frizzell was 2-for-5, while T. Coleman added one double and two RBI. Texas A&M was out hit by the Wildcats, 9-8.
Chris Weber was called for the start, laboring through 3.1 innings and yielding three unearned on four hits and four walks while fanning five. Chandler Jozwiak got the ball in relief, also working through 3.1 inning, giving up two runs on two hits while striking out five. Alex Magers worked a scoreless 1.0 innings scattering two hits. Joseph Menefee (0-1) was saddled with the loss in relief, after giving up the go-ahead run in the ninth.
The staff stranded nine Wildcats on the base paths and held their batters to 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Aggies combined for 13 strikeouts on the day, marking their fourth double-digit strikeout performance.
The Aggies drop to 1-3 on the season, while the Wildcats improve to 3-1.
TOP PLAYERS
Ray Alejo – 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 2B
Alex Magers – 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER
SCORING SUMMARY
B1 | Logan Sartori led off and reached first after being struck by a pitch. Bryce singled to left-center, before Bryan Sturges plated one on a lined single to the leftfield. A&M 1, ACU 0.
T3 | The Wildcats loaded the bags after Mike Brown reached first on a throwing error, a hit by pitch by Grayson Tatrow, and a walk by Colton Eager. Two runs came in on wild pitch. ACU 2, A&M 1.
T4 | Brett Hammit lined a one-out single to centerfield, before advancing to second on a throwing error and fielder’s choice by Sebastian Randle. Cameron Cromer loaded the bags with a walk, and Brown plated one on a dribbled single to the pitcher. ACU 3, A&M 1.
B4 | Ray Alejo got things started with a roped double down the leftfield line. Alejo stole third and came in to score on lined single to centerfield by Kalae Harrison. ACU 3, A&M 2.
B5 | Bryce Blaum drew a leadoff walk before advancing on a Will Frizzell single through the rightside. Bryce Blaum advanced to third on a failed double steal and came in to score on a passed ball. Hunter Cole drew a two-out walk and stole second before Alejo singled to shortstop. Both runners came in to score on a shot off the left-center wall by Ty Coleman. A&M 5, ACU 3.
T6 | Dickson reached first on a hit by pitch and trotted to second on a Hammit single through the leftside. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a fielder’s choice and came in to score on a pinch-hit single through the rightside by Tommy Cruz. A&M 5, ACU 5.
T9 | Hunter Gieser doubled in the right-center gap, advanced to third on a wild pitch and score on sacrifice fly by Bryson Hill. ACU 6, A&M 5.
UP NEXT
The Aggies host the Tarleton State Texans on Wednesday with first pitch at 6:32 p.m.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach Rob Childress
On responding to today’s loss …
“The morale will get high tomorrow night at 6:30 when the bell rings, and we get to play again. There are some disappointed guys in that locker room, as there are some coaches. We’ve got to play better, and we expect better. There is enough talent, you know, one-two in that locker room, and it’s going to happen. We’re going to get this thing headed in the right direction sooner rather than later, I promise you that.”
Senior infielder Will Frizzell
On the dugout energy and short-term memory…
“We all have a supreme belief in every single one of us that we are going to go up there and get the job done. The energy in the dugout has been good, obviously it could be better and we could be winning. When you are winning, things in the dugout always seem better. As a whole, we are not going into tomorrow pouting. We’ll be ready to come out tomorrow and win a baseball game.”
Sophomore RHP Alex Magers
On his reliability on the mound…
“It feels good that Coach Childress can trust me to do that, but anyone on our staff can be this guy. Moo (Joseph Menefee) is a good person to have come out of the pen and same can be said for Will Johnston. If it wasn’t me, it could be anyone on this staff, but is great feeling to have this slot.”
On his sidearm technique…
“I think it is something hitters don’t see very often. Which is good thing to be able to come into situations and throw something funky at them.”
On the free bases, walks and hit by pitches…
“The main thing that has plagued us so far are the free bases, walks and hit by pitches. They haven’t been terrible but we’ve seen more than we would like to.”