Thomas Dick, Texas A&M Athletics Communications
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – A 10th-inning, walk-off hit by Jordan Thompson led the Texas A&M Aggies to an 8-7 victory over the Tarleton State Texans Wednesday evening on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
The Aggies and Texans went back-and-forth throughout the game, but the Aggies were able to deliver the final blow in the 10th when Thompson made some Olsen Field Magic with an RBI single to leftfield.
Offensively, the Maroon & White were paced by Will Frizzell and Kalae Harrison. Frizzell was on fire, going 3-for-3 with three runs, one double, two home runs, one walk and two RBI. Harrison added a two-run home run of his own in the fifth to narrow the deficit to one.
Despite the Aggies being out hit, 12-9, the Maroon & White managed to get hits in a timely fashion, batting 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position and 5-for-13 with runners on the base path.
On the mound, Nathan Dettmer got called for his first collegiate start, yielding just one unearned run on three hits and one walk while striking out six over 3.0 frames. Will Johnston was stellar in relief, working 2.0 innings scattering two hits and one walk while fanning a pair. Mason Ornelas was called in the sixth, and was able to get out of a bases loaded one-out jam to keep the lead. Ornelas tossed 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while fanning five. Joseph Menefee (1-0) was awarded the win for perfect 10th inning with a pair of strikeouts.
The staff continued with their strikeout dominance, tallying 18 on the day, and making this their fifth straight double-digit strikeout performance of the season.
The Aggies improve to 2-3 on the season, while the Texans fall to 1-4.
TOP PLAYERS
Will Frizzell – 3-for-3, 3 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 1 BB, 2 RBI
Kalae Harrison – 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Will Jonhston – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Mason Ornelas – 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 K
Joseph Menefee – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 K
SCORING SUMMARY
B1 | With two outs, Will Frizzell launched a 3-1 offering over the rightfield fence. A&M 1, Tarleton St. 0.
T3 | The Texans led off with back-to-back singles to leftfield by Wade Raburn and Tyler Fowler. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a passed ball, and one scored on a dribbled groundout to the pitcher by Colby Seltzer. A&M 1, Tarleton St. 1.
T4 | Corey Young singled to leftfield, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Kemuel Thomas-Rivera drew a walked, Cody Vannoy singled to shortstop, and one scored on throwing error during the play. Raburn plated one on lined a single up the middle, before London Green singled to leftfield, scoring two. Tarleton St. 5, A&M 1.
B4 | Frizzell homered for the second time of night with a big fly into the rightfield bleachers. Tarleton St. 5, A&M 2.
B5 | With two outs, Ray Alejo reached first after being struck by a pitch. Shortly after, Kalae Harrison sent a rocket over the rightfield wall for a two-run bomb. Bryce Blaum kept the rallying going, bunting a single down the thirdbase line. Blaum advanced to second on a wild pitch, third on a passed ball, and came in to score on a Brett Minnich roped single to rightfield. Frizzell drew a four pitch walk, before Bryan Sturges plated the go-ahead run on a single to rightfield. A&M 6, Tarleton St. 5.
B8 | Frizzell lined a leadoff double in the left-center gap. Frizzell advanced to third on a Sturges groundout and scored on a wild pitch. A&M 7, Tarleton St. 5.
T9 | Fowler drew a leadoff walk, and advanced to second on a one-out single through the rightside by Frew. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a groundout, and one came in to score on a wild pitch. With runners on the corners, Rivera singled through the leftside, plating one. A&M 7, Tarleton St. 7.
B10 | Mikey Hoehner drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a lined single to rightfield by Austin Bost. Jordan Thompson delivered the final blow with a single to leftfield. A&M 8, Tarleton St. 7.
UP NEXT
The Aggies travel west for the Round Rock Classic, beginning Friday against the Baylor Bears with first pitch at 6:00 p.m. The Maroon & White will close out the tournament with bouts against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday and the Auburn Tigers on Sunday with first pitches at 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. respectively.
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach Rob Childress
On Will Frizzell’s performance in tonight’s game…
“He was big for us. He’s the only offense we had until the fifth inning. I mean literally. He’s a guy that can raise your blood pressure every time he steps in the box. He has a gift. Not only does he have that power, he also has great command of the strike zone. He will take his walks and do those things. Will is a very advanced hitter.”
Freshman INF Kalae Harrison
On his home run in tonight’s game…
“Yeah, it felt great. It felt great to get the first one out of the way and just help my team get back in the position to strike again. It just felt great to keep my team going, and that’s what we are all about.”
Senior INF Will Frizzell
On providing the spark for the team…
“It felt great to put together those two at bats to start the game. But what really got it started was Ray Alejo getting hit by the pitch and then Kalae Harrison knocking it down. All those things tied together to allow us to jump back into the game offensively.”
On the team win…
This is a great experience for everyone on the team. When you think about the guys who pulled that together in the last inning, Mikey Hoehner getting the walk off the bench and same with Austin Bost with his hit. Jordan Thompson didn’t start the game and he pulls out the winning hit. When you think about it in terms like that, winning at this level takes everyone.”
Junior OF Jordan Thompson
On his winning hit being his first Aggie hit…
“It was amazing to feel the Olsen magic, especially since it was my first career hit here. I loved getting to celebrate with all the guys afterwards.”