Texas A&M eliminates Notre Dame, Advance to a rematch with Oklahoma
Texas A&M faced Notre Dame in an elimination game in the 2022 Men’s College World Series on Tuesday afternoon, with the winner facing a rematch with the 2-0 Oklahoma Sooners. The Aggies wound up on top, defeating the battle-tested Fighting Irish 5-1 in one of the gutsiest performances we’ve seen on the mound in years from sophomore ace, Nathan Dettmer.
After a tumultuous start against the Sooners the previous Friday, headman Jim Schlossnagle went with his coaching intuition to start Dettmer after pitching 1.2 innings with a 44 pitch count, trusting that the do or die moment would be enough to motivate the proven starter and by golly, did he look motivated.
Dettmer pitched 7.0 shutout innings with 6 strikeouts and only 3 hits allowed, frustrating the Notre Dame batters who could only muster groundballs with the occasional pop-up, and showing more confidence in his pitches than in previous outings, proving a number of doubters wrong who questioned his start which was announced just minutes before the 1:00 PM start time.
Offensively, Trevor Werner led the way with a 2 for 4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 HR, and 1BB stat line. Going into the top of the 3rd inning scoreless, the Aggies loaded the bases with no outs, and after a throwing error by Notre Dame’s 3rd baseman, Jack Brannigan, Jordan Thompson, and Kole Kaler scored, and after a Ryan Targac sacrifice fly, Trevor Werner scored, making it 3-0 Aggies, where they would continue to slowly but surely pull away.
After a Werner solo home run in the top of the 5th combined with a Dylan Rock single scoring Jack moss to make it 5-0, The Fighting Irish came out swinging in the bottom of the 8th, with senior outfielder Brooks Coetzee knocking in a solo home run off of Aggies pitcher Brad Rudis to make it 5-1, with Rudis quickly being replaced after a quick hit by a pitch and consecutive walk.
Joseph “Moo” Menefee came in to relieve Rudis, trotting out of the bullpen to eventually finish what Nathan Dettmer started. After going two innings with two strikeouts and one hit allowed, with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Menefee quickly popped up Zack Prajnzer to end the game 5-1. and earning his second save of the season.
The Aggies will now face the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday, June 22nd at 1:00 PM on ESPN, needing a win to force the “If necessary game” which would take place on Thursday. Let’s keep the magic going, boys.
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