May 7, 2010
The Aggies (28-17-1), winners of eight of their last 11, will look for the sweep of the Patriots (24-22) on Saturday with the annual Military Appreciation Day. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. Any veterans or active duty military interested in attending Saturday's festivities will receive two free tickets to the game, with additional tickets available for $4. Prior to first pitch, there will be an on-field recognition for all veterans and active servicemen and women. Those interested in participating are asked to be at the stadium by 1:15 p.m. to be ready to enter the field at 1:30.
"I thought Ross Stripling was just fantastic tonight," A&M coach Rob Childress said. "He was about as good as you could be for two innings, then kind of lost it there a bit in the third but got it back and put us into the seventh inning. John (Stilson) got better as he went along too. We got some key hits when we needed them. This was a good win for us."
A&M took a lead two batters into the game on a Naquin RBI single. Then, in the third, the freshman hit his first career home run off the camera stand in center and Juengel followed three batters later with a two-run shot off the scoreboard in left to extend the lead to 4-0.
Stripling, making his 12th start of the year, allowed a solo home run to Austin Elkins in the fourth and an RBI groundout by Tyler Robbins in the fifth, but pitched his way into the seventh. Stilson then got the final eight outs of the game to record his eighth save of the campaign.
A&M out-hit the Patriots on the night, nine to six. Naquin led the way with a 2-for-3, two-RBI effort while Joe Patterson continued his hot hitting with a pair of singles. Elkins had a pair of hits for DBU.
Stripling (5-3) went 6 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, two runs and five walks while fanning four. Stilson gave up one infield hit in the eighth, his only baserunner over 2 2/3 innings of work. He did not walk a batter and struck out three.
The loss went to Patriot starter Brandon Williamson (6-4), who lasted seven complete and gave up all nine hits and four runs. He walked four and punched out four.
Senior Clayton Ehlert (2-5, 5.01) will get the ball on Saturday and is scheduled to face DBU senior lefty Ryan Millard (4-2, 5.19). Fans can listen locally on WTAW-AM 1620 or watch live on aggieathletics.com.
"We have been presented with this challenge all year long (a sweep) and it's been a long time since we've answered the bell in game three of a series," Childress said. "I expect us to do that. We have 10 regular-season games left and we have to come out and take care of business tomorrow."