COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Ty Coleman’s first inning, three-run home run set the tone as the No. 18 Texas A&M Aggies rolled to an 8-3 win over the Rice Owls Tuesday evening on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
Bryce Blaum and Braden Shewmake paced the Aggies offensively. Blaum recorded two hits, one run, one stolen base and one RBI, while Shewmake went 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base and a double. Ty Coleman and Jonathan Ducoff led the way with runners in scoring position. Coleman logged the ice-breaking, three-run blast and Ducoff punched a two-run single through the left side of the infield in the fifth. Coleman added a steal of home in the fifth.
The Aggies threw six pitchers at the Owls in the win. Chris Webergot the start, and tossed 2.2 innings, yielding one run on one hit and two walks while fanning five. Chandler Jozwiak (3-1) earned the win in relief, throwing 2.1 hitless innings, giving up four free bags while striking out five. Dustin Saenz, Mason Cole and Brandon Birdsell each tossed a scoreless frame.
The Maroon & White pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts – the 16th double-digit strikeout performance of the season. The Aggies held the Owls to 1-for-13 at the plate with runners on base.
Texas A&M improved to 18-5 while Rice dropped to 8-15.
UP NEXT
The Aggies take on the Kentucky Wildcats for their first road SEC matchup of the season. The three-game series begins Friday with first pitch at 5:32 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
B1| Cam Blake got things started drawing a base on balls, before advancing to third on a two-out single to right-center by Mikey Hoehner. Ty Coleman put the 10th pitch of his at-bat over the leftfield wall. A&M 3, Rice 0.
B2 | Hunter Watson recorded his first hit as a Aggie, dropping a leadoff single in front of the right fielder, and advanced to second on a four-pitch walk by Hunter Coleman. Blaum plated Watson on a lined single to centerfield. A&M 4, Rice 0.
T3 | Aaron Beaulaurier and Justin Dunlap drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Both runner advanced into scoring position on a groundout by Bradley Gneiting, before Trei Cruz knocked in Beaulaurier on sacrifice fly to rightfield. A&M 4, Rice 1.
B5| Blaum led off the inning with a single down the third base line, and advanced to second after Shewmake shot a one-out single through the left side of the infield. Both runners stole a base before Ty Coleman drew a walk to fill the bags with Ags. Ducoff punched a two-out single through the left side, plating Blaum and Shewmake. With runners on the corners, the Aggies pulled off a double steal, plating Ty Coleman from third. A&M 7, Rice 1.
T7 | Gneiting drew a base on balls, before being plated on a two-out home run by Andrew Dunlap. A&M 7, Rice 3.
B7 | Shewmake led off the inning with a double off the leftfield wall, and advanced to third on sacrifice bunt by Hoehner. Ducoff reached first and scored Shewmake on a throwing error by Rice’s third baseman. A&M 8, Rice 3.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach Rob Childress
On Ty Coleman’s home run…
“It was a huge at-bat in the first inning to grab all the momentum. It was a 10-pitch at-bat. For him to stay in that fight and finally get a mistake from the pitcher was huge for us. It was a difference in the game early.”
On the team’s performance…
We gave Rice some opportunities to get back in the game by some free baserunners, but we did a good job getting ourselves out of some jams. We got to see a bunch of different pitchers on the mound. {Jonathan} Ducoff again with another big hit as well. We had a lot of clutch at-bats with two outs to not only grab the lead but to extend it.”
Sophomore LHP Chandler Jozwiak
On his pitching…
“It was mostly working fast ball in and out, especially with the bottom of their order and then top of the order working the slider really good.”
On his role for the team…
“I love coming out of the bullpen and being in those tight situations because when you come out of them it shows a lot of emotion and it brings momentum to the team.”
Freshman INF Ty Coleman
On his performance against Rice…
“I was really confident today in our approach, staying on the heater, dominating the fastball, and luckily snuck one out of here in a big-time situation. Grabbing the momentum early is what we preach. Then [Jonathan] Ducoff later in the game staying in on another 3-2 count with bases loaded and got another base hit for us.”
On the base running call to steal with runners on first and third…
“We have full faith in our coaching staff, and I knew that it was going to work out for the best for us. We do baserunning with batting practice before every game to practice getting reads and jumps. So, we were fully confident we were going to execute it.”
Senior OF Jonathan Ducoff
On his offensive production he’s lately…
“I think it’s just that I’ve been sticking to the approach of staying in the middle of the field, staying on the ball with guys on base, and sometimes baseball is baseball. It feels like every time I come up to the plate there’s guys on base and opportunities, so I just try to do my best with the help of a swing.”
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics