Texas A&M pulls away late to take game two over McNeese
Texas A&M (2-0) had to work a little harder in the second game against McNeese (0-2), but a 6-1 victory secured a series win with a chance to sweep on Sunday.
A pitching duel between the teams had Olsen Field on edge compared to game one, where the Aggies scored early and often. The game remained scoreless through four innings before Texas A&M could finally get on the board after Evan Aschenbeck got the Aggies out of a bases-loaded situation at the top of the inning.
A&M started to catch up with McNeese pitcher Cameron LeJune in the bottom of the fifth inning, and with one out, Ryan Tragac was able to get in scoring position, hitting a double down the left-field line. Max Kaufer backdoored with an RBI double, bringing Tragac home for the game’s first score.
.@kaufermax plates the first run of the day with an RBI double!#GigEm pic.twitter.com/rZ0XWrdpub
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) February 17, 2024
Pitching would take over again until the top of the seventh inning, with McNeese tying the game until transfer Brock Peery closed out the inning. That tie was short-lived with a bases-loaded walk scored by Blake Binderup, then a Braden Montgomery pop-up that should have been a routine out got caught in the wind, dropping it right behind a charging shortstop. That miscue scored two, but a Jace LaViolette score was reversed and was called out at home on a replay for the third out.
The Aggies added two more insurance runs in the eighth after speedster Travis Chesnut stole two bases to put himself in scoring position. Targac and Ali Camarillo both got hits, each bringing in a run to push the lead to 6-1. After walking the first batter in the top of the ninth, Zane Badmaev retired the next three batters for an A&M win.
Total offense: 8 hits, 6 runs
Pitching: Brock Peery W (1-0): 0.2 innings, 1 K, 8 pitches. Justin Lamkin: 3.2 innings, 6 Ks, 75 pitches. Evan Aschenbeck: 2.2 innings, 4 Ks, 33 pitches. Zane Badmaev S (1): 2.0 innings, 3 Ks, 33 pitches.
Texas A&M will return to Blue Bell Park for Game 3 against McNeese State on Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. CT. The Game will be available for streaming on SEC Network+.
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