(#23) Texas A&M 8, Nebraska 2

Friday, April 17

College Station

7:05 PM

Texas A&M

23-14, 9-7

Nebraska

17-19-1, 4-12

Nebraska

Texas A&M

Apr 17, 2009 | Baseball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

April 17, 2009

Post Game Audio:
Head Coach Childress
LHP Raley
1B Anders

Final Stats

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Brooks Raley gave up just two hits in 7 1/3 innings of work and Caleb Shofner matched a career high with four RBIs to lift No. 23 Texas A&M to an 8-2 win over Nebraska Friday evening before 3,593 fans at Olsen Field.

After giving up a run and hit in the first, Raley would allow just two Nebraska baserunners past first the rest of the night. The only other knock the Huskers managed off Raley--who pitched into the eighth inning--came with two outs in the third.

Shofner and Luke Anders had three hits apiece to lead A&M (23-14, 9-7 Big 12), while Nebraska (17-19-1, 4-12) was held to four hits on the evening.

Both teams would push across first-inning runs. Tyler Farst gave the Huskers the early lead with a two-out double to center that scored Jake Mort, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the frame.

A&M tied the game on a Kyle Colligan sacrifice fly that brought home Raley, who walked and moved to third on an Anders single.

The score remained the same until the fifth, when the Aggies batted around off four Husker pitchers, scoring three times to take a 4-1 lead.

With no outs and runners at the corners, another Colligan sacrifice fly brought home Raley to make the score 2-1. Back-to-back hit batsmen by Husker reliever Erik Bird loaded the bases for Caleb Shofner, who flared the first pitch he saw into shallow right field. The single brought home Luke Anders from third and gave A&M a two-run lead. After another pitching change, David Alleman lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Kevin Gonzalez to make the score 4-1.

Nebraska threatened in the eighth after Raley issued a one-out walk and followed with a hit batsman. Alex Wilson entered in relief, however, and got back-to-back strikeouts to put A&M back in the dugout and preserve the three-run lead.

In the eighth, a bases-loaded walk to pinch-hitter Joe Patterson and an ensuing bases-clearing double by Caleb Shofner--all with two outs--blew the game open.

Raley (7-1) went 7 1/3 innings and gave up two hits--the fewest he's ever allowed in a start--while walking three and striking out four. Wilson picked up his second hold in as many appearances.

Nebraska starter Sean Yost (1-4) lasted four-plus innings and gave up four hits, two runs and three walks while punching out four. The Huskers used six pitchers on the night.

The series continues on Saturday with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m. Aggie freshman Ross Hales (3-1, 3.75 ERA) will take the mound against Husker junior Jordan Roulades (4-3, 6.80). Limited tickets are still available and can be purchased online at aggieathletics.com, at the Athletic Ticket Office or at the gate.

POSTGAME NOTES

• The start of the game was delayed 30 minutes due to rain that ended late in the afternoon.

• Brooks Raley has now reached safely (hit or walk) in every game this season (34).

• The Aggies' six hit batsmen matched a season high, set in the opener against Wright State (Feb. 20).

• Luke Anders posted his third three-hit game of the season

• Caleb Shofner matched his season/career high of four RBIs, set a few weeks ago against UT Arlington (March 24).

• Game-time temperature was 64 degrees with overcast skies and calm winds.

POSTGAME QUOTES

HEAD COACH Rob Childress: "It was a great night. I didn't think Brooks' command was great to start the game. But we made some incredible defensive plays behind Brooks early in the game to allow him to settle in and find his groove, and he definitely did. He had a great start."

(on the bullpen) "Alex Wilson came in and, to me, that was a save. They had two runners on and he punched two guys out. Then Nick Fleece came in and did what he does."

(on holding Nebraska to four hits) "I said it before the series started, I felt like this was the best offense we've faced thus far in the Big 12, top to bottom. To hold them to four hits and two runs is a tribute to what our pitchers did on the mound tonight."

(on building off the win at Rice) "The Tuesday win was great, but we had to validate it. It was a long wait because of the rain, and not being in our pregame routine. I don't know how ready we were to play right at the start, but our defense allowed us to get going and it gave us a lift."

SOPHOMORE P/OF Brooks Raley: "I started slow early. My command wasn't quite there, but my defense played very well tonight. It's huge in a Friday night game. For those plays to happen is really big."