Feb. 23, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The No. 1-ranked Texas A&M baseball team returns to action and closes out a six-game homestand this week when the Aggies host Centenary College in a pair of games at Olsen Field. First pitch on Tuesday is set for 6:35 p.m. with Wednesday's series finale slated for 3:05 p.m.
The Aggies (4-0) are coming off a season-opening series sweep of Wright State this past weekend, while the Gents (0-0) will be opening their 2009 campaign. A&M will send freshman lefty Ross Hales (0-0, 0.00) to the mound Tuesday where he will face off with Centenary southpaw Dakota Robinson.
Wednesday's A&M starter is to be determined, but will most likely be one of a pair of juniors, Chad Sherman or Scott Migl. The Gents will counter with senior right-hander Joe Hagen.
"These are huge games for us," A&M coach Rob Childress said. "Centenary's got a good club. They played us well twice last year, and they didn't open up this weekend. So we'll be facing their best pitching. They are locked and loaded to start the season on Tuesday night."
Sophomore third baseman Caleb Shofner, who leads the team with a .900 average, was named Big 12 Player of the Week after a 9-for-10, five-RBI, 11-run weekend against the Raiders. Brooks Raley (.600, 4 RBI) and Dylan Petrich (.600, 4 RBI) also pace the Aggies offensively. Texas A&M averaged 10.5 runs per game on the weekend and stole 12 bases.
Centenary finished the 2008 season at 30-26 and was picked to finish third in the Summit League in '09 behind Oral Roberts and Southern Utah. A&M leads the all-time series, 17-1.
Tickets are available at the gate or online at aggieathletics.com. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult (limit four kids per adult) for both games as part of the Take Me Out to the Ballgame ticket promotion. Gates open 90 minutes prior to first pitch for all home games.
Fans can listen locally to Tuesday's game on Sports Radio 1150 The Zone, while Wednesday's finale will air on WTAW-AM 1620. Free live video of both games will also be available online at aggieathletics.com.