With potential inclement weather in the College Station area Tuesday night, the midweek matchup between No. 20 Texas A&M and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Blue Bell Park was moved up a few hours. However this change didn’t hurt the Aggies’ performance one bit.
A&M took the lead in the first and never relinquished it, taking down the Islanders 12-2 in a seven-inning run-rule, as opposed to the regulated nine innings. The Aggies have now won four straight games since dropping a midweek game to Incarnate Word last Wednesday and are now 12-2 on the season.
“I’m very proud of our guys,” A&M head coach Rob Childress said. “They came out and prepared the right way and then when the bell rang, it was the most complete game that we’ve played this year in every area. I’m really glad we started this new week off the right way.”
After a scoreless top of the first for the Islanders, the Aggies immediately took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the frame. A&M-CC would cut the Aggie lead in half with a run in the top of the second. But the Aggies were able to break away with a three-run fourth, two-run fifth, three-run sixth and closed it out with a two-run seventh to secure the run-rule.
Sophomore lefty Dustin Saenz started on the mound for A&M and had a solid outing. Saenz tossed 5.2 innings, gave up two earned runs on four hits and walked two. The Aggie bullpen took care of things from there, as sophomore Mason Cole and junior Kyle Richardson combined to get the last four outs and allowed one base runner.
“I knew I had the defense behind my back,” Saenz said. “I felt really comfortable out there with the defense behind me. Cam Blake and Braden Shewmake made outstanding plays. It was overall a good performance from our defense. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
At the plate, the Aggies were led by a trio of juniors in Cam Blake, Mikey Hoehner, and Braden Shewmake. Blake went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Hoehner went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Shewmake went 1-for-3 with four RBIs.
“I like to play without any fear,” Blake said. “If I’m going to get hurt I might as well do it playing hard. I’m doing it for the team, I love being on this team, I love playing with these guys. I’m going to give my best effort every time.”
Freshman pitcher Tyler Miller got the start for the Islanders, but didn’t see the third inning after facing the A&M offense. Miller threw for just two innings, and gave up two earned runs on two hits and walked four. The Islanders used four relievers after Miller. The four combined for four innings, giving up 10 runs on eight hits and walking eight.
The Aggies will be back in action on Wednesday as they host Abilene Christian at Blue Bell Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.