After splitting the first two games of the series, the No. 23 Texas A&M baseball team overcame a rough start Sunday to beat No. 6 Baylor 4-3, giving the Aggies the series over the Bears two games to one.
Junior right fielder Cory Patton hit a two out RBI single into center field that scored freshman catcher Kevin Whelan from third for the game winner.
A&M junior right hander Matt Farnum had a rough first inning where he allowed two runs early but settled down until he was lifted in the top of the sixth by junior reliever Scott Beerer.
Beerer walked the first batter he faced, loading the bases but came back strong to retire the next ten. Beerer allowed no runs, no hits and struck out three to earn the win for the Aggies.
Baylor Head Coach Steve Smith said that Beerer’s performance was the key for the Aggies.
“Beerer retired ten in a row after walking the first guy, that’s where the credit belongs in the game, he did a heck of a job,” Smith said. “Beerer outperformed our bullpen and (A&M) outperformed us defensively throughout the game.”
Beerer said he told A&M Head Coach Mark Johnson that he was ready to pitch as long as Johnson needed him.
“I was ready to go and I knew I had my stuff today,” Beerer said. “I was ready to rock. I went in there and got the job done.”
The Aggies dug themselves a hole in the top of the first. Baylor center fielder Chris Durbin led off the game with a single into left field. Durbin stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Farnum.
Right fielder David Murphy followed with an RBI triple and later scored on an RBI by Bears’ first baseman Ross Bennett, giving the Bears an early 2-0 lead.
The Aggies would get the two runs back in the fourth thanks in large part to back-to-back errors by Baylor third baseman Paul Witt, who finished the game with five defensive errors.
“When you play a great team like A&M, especially down here (at Olsen Field), you can’t make five crucial errors,” Bennett said.
Baylor settled down in the top of the fifth thanks to a lead off solo home run by second baseman Mark Saccomanno, giving the Bears a 3-2 lead.
A&M scored a run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at three, setting the stage for Patton’s ninth inning heroics.
Whelan led off the ninth for the Aggies with a single to right field and advanced to second on a bunt by junior second baseman Erik Schindewolf. Whelan then advanced to third on a groundout by junior shortstop Matt Alexander. Baylor reliever Zane Carlson walked freshman infielder Cliff Pennington to put runners on the corners for Patton with two outs.
“From the first pitch Cliff was up there I wanted them to walk him,” Patton said. “I would have been completely happy if Cliff would have gotten the hit but it’s a great opportunity to get the winning hit for your team.”
Patton delivered the game winner with a shot into center field.
Bennett said he thought the crowd was a big factor in Sunday’s comeback win.
“They feed off the great crowd down here,” Bennett said. “This is the premier college baseball environment. It’s the toughest place we’ll play all year.”
Johnson said that he was impressed with his team’s performance and the way it battled back to win.
“It was a well pitched ball game. I was disappointed we didn’t hit the ball better but it turned out to be a great finish for us,” he said.