TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the first time since 1999, the Texas A&M baseball team is headed to Omaha, Neb., and the College World Series as Monday the Aggies punched their ticket with an 11-2 victory over Florida State during the deciding game of the NCAA Tallahassee Super Regional.
“I am proud for our coaches, our players, our university, our community that we were able to win this Super Regional and we are moving on to Omaha,” Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress said. “Very proud for everyone that is involved in our athletic department, our baseball program and our community.”
Texas A&M (47-20) will face off against South Carolina on Sunday, June 19, at 6 p.m. (CT) during the opening round of the College World Series at Omaha’s TD Ameritrade Park.
Unlike the previous day when the Seminoles put up a crooked number on the scoreboard in the first inning, on Monday it was the Aggies who exploded offensively during their first turn at bat. Aided by three walks in the inning, Texas A&M put six runs on the board to take a commanding 6-0 lead.
After the first three Aggies of the inning reached base, junior first baseman Jacob House drew a base-loaded walk to push across the first run of the contest. The at bat also signaled the end of the evening for FSU starter Hunter Scantling (3-3), who surrendered four runs while not recording an out in the contest.
A second bases-loaded walk during the next at bat with Adam Smith at the plate made it 2-0 Aggies and senior catcher Kevin Gonzalez followed with a two-run double. Left fielder Brandon Wood and shortstop Kenny Jackson put the finishing touches on the inning as they each drove in a run during the frame allowing the Aggies to bat around and take control of the game.
The early offense would be all that Texas A&M starter Michael Wacha (9-3) would need as the right-hander neutralized the hot-hitting Seminoles during 7.1 innings of work. The Texarkana, Texas, native limited FSU to only a pair of runs on three hits while logging eight strikeouts in the contest.
Smith continued A&M’s surging start during the bottom of the second when he connected on his sixth home run of the year, a two-run shot of FSU reliever Brian Busch that made it 8-0 A&M.
The Seminoles got on the scoreboard during the top of the third as left fielder Stuart Tapley hit a solo home run off Wacha. Later in the bottom of the fifth, an RBI double by FSU catcher Rapael Lopez helped the ‘Noles climb to within seven runs at 9-2.
Again taking advantage of walks by the FSU pitching staff, the Aggies increased their lead to 11-2 during the bottom of the seventh with a bases-loaded walk issued to Matt Juengel and a RBI single from House.
Relievers Kyle Martin and Nick Fleece closed the door on the Seminoles by getting the finale five outs of the game to clinch the win.
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES TICKET INFORMATION
Texas A&M has qualified for the 2011 NCAA College World Series (CWS) scheduled for June 18-29 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, NE. The Aggies will begin play on either June 18 or 19. The tournament schedule will be announced Tuesday, June 14, at 8 pm (CST) on www.ncaa.com.
The Aggies have a very limited allotment of reserved tickets to each of their games in the CWS. These tickets will be offered initially to 12th Man Foundation members, baseball season ticket holders and Texas A&M students with a valid 2010-11 all sports option. Individuals purchasing tickets through A&M and the 12th Man Foundation must commit to buy tickets for every game that the Aggies play in the World Series (two game minimum). Tickets are $32 for early games and $37 for the final three games. Price includes processing fees. There is a limit of four tickets per person.
Tickets will be allocated according to the Texas A&M Priority Point system (www.12thmanfoundation.com/membership/priority-points.aspx). All tickets will be distributed in Omaha. A photo ID and the credit card used to purchase the tickets will be required for ticket pick-up.
12th Man Foundation members and baseball season ticket holders may request tickets online or by phone through 5 pm, Tuesday, June 14th. Online requests can be made now atwww.tickets.12thmanfoundation.com. Phone orders will be accepted from 8 am to 5 pm on Tuesday, June 14th at 888-99-AGGIE (888-992-4443). Requests will be confirmed by email on Tuesday evening.
Texas A&M students with a valid 2010-11 all sports option may purchase one ticket for personal use beginning at 12 noon, Tuesday, June 14. Student sales will be first-come, first-served with a very limited quantity. Student tickets will be distributed in Omaha as well.
If tickets remain in the Texas A&M block, they will go on sale Wednesday, June 15th at 12 noon to Aggie fans with a confirmed affiliation with Texas A&M.
There are no hotel or travel options available through Texas A&M. Additional ticket and event information is available at www.cwsomaha.com.