February 09, 2007
Blake Stouffer went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored, but it was not enough as Texas A&M dropped a tough 5-4 decision to No. 12 Arizona State in first-day action of the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park.
The Aggies and Sun Devils were tied at four heading into the bottom of the seventh. With runners on first and third and two outs, A&M reliever Kyle Nicholson made a fake pickoff to third and caught the runner at first, Tim Smith, in a rundown between first and second. In the meantime, Brett Wallace scored from third on an errant throw to the plate from second baseman Dane Carter to earn ASU the lead. The play was ruled a double steal.
?When two good teams are playing, it usually comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes,? A&M head coach Rob Childress said. ?A couple of small mistakes can cost you a ballgame. We work on first-and-third situations almost everyday in practice, but tonight we didn?â„¢t execute it.?
With the loss, Texas A&M dropped to 1-1 while Arizona State remained perfect and moved to 4-0.
The Aggies return to action at the Houston College Classic on Saturday when they face Houston. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.
Texas A&M took the early lead in the top of the first by scoring a pair of runs off ASU starting pitcher Brian Flores. Ben Feltner walked to start the inning and scored on a double to left by Stouffer. After a pair of walks and a fielder?â„¢s choice loaded the bases with two outs, Spencer Jackson blooped a single to right to score Brandon Hicks. Stinson tried to score from second on the play was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Ike Davis.
The Sun Devils answered in a big way in the bottom of the frame off A&M starter Jason Meyer. Eric Sogard drove in a run with a single and Matt Spencer slammed his third homer of the season, a towering three-run shot over the wall in right to make the score 4-2.
The Aggies scratched out a run in the top of the second to cut the Sun Devils?â„¢ lead to 4-3. Parker Dalton drew a one-out walk and consecutive infield singles by Feltner and Stouffer loaded the bases. Hicks lined out to right, allowing Dalton to tag from third.
Meyer settled in and did not allow another run in his four-complete innings of work. He struck out two and walked two.
Nicholson (0-1) was the tough-luck loser, allowing the run in the seventh despite 2 2/3 solid innings of relief.
Freshman reliever Kirkland Rivers retired all four men he faced in the eight and ninth innings to keep the Aggies within striking distance.
ASU freshman reliever Mike Leake (1-0) allowed just one A&M hit and fanned five in the final five innings to earn his first career win.