MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Texas A&M baseball team extended its season-high winning streak to eight games on Friday as the No. 5 Aggies defeated Kansas State 6-3 in front of 1,175 fans at Tointon Family Stadium.
The victory improved the Aggies’ record to 21-5 this season and kept them alone atop the Big 12 standings with a 6-1 league mark. Kansas State, meanwhile, dropped to 15-10 and 1-6 in league play.
Texas A&M starter John Stilson (2-1) got off to a shaking start in the first inning as the first three men were able to reach base against the Aggie right-hander leading to a pair of Wildcat runs as Stilson needed 28 pitched to escape the frame.
The Aggies tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the fourth as sophomore outfielder Tyler Naquin was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Naquin was quickly followed by designated hitter Matt Juengel who drew a walk to give the Aggies a pair of base runners. After a line-out, senior catcher Kevin Gonzalez, who finished 2-for-4 for his 45th career multi-hit game, singled to load the bases for junior first baseman Jacob House.
House hit a ground ball that KSU first baseman Shane Conlon fielded and fired to second to try to initiate a double play. His throw, however, sailed into left field allowing two Aggie runners to score, tying the game at 2-2.
A leadoff walk by Stilson in the bottom of the fourth came around to score on a RBI single by Wildcat catcher Chase Graskewicz, putting the Wildcats ahead 3-2.
During the top of the fifth, three consecutive infield singles put the Aggies in business as they chased KSU starter Kyle Hunter (2-2), who exited with the bases loaded and no outs. Juengel promptly unloaded the bases as he sliced a ball down the right field line off new Wildcat pitcher Evan Marshall to plate three runs.
Juengel himself came home in the next at bat as House grounded out to second, leaving the Aggies ahead 6-3.
Stilson finished the game strong, holding the Wildcats at bay until giving way to the bullpen to start the eighth inning. The Texarkana, Texas, native finished with seven strikeouts while allowing three runs on nine hits during seven innings of work.
Texas A&M’s relievers were once again solid as Nick Fleece pitched a scoreless eighth before Joaquin Hinojosa worked the ninth to pick up his sixth save of the year.
The series continues Saturday with a 4 p.m. contest at Tointon Family Stadium. The game will be televised by Fox College Sports and Fox Sports-Kansas City. Sophomore Michael Wacha (4-1, 0.60) will take the ball for the Aggies against KSU starter Matt Applegate (3-1, 2.89).