Texas A&M 6, Seton Hall 3 (Game 2)

Saturday, February 20

College Station

6:00 PM

Texas A&M

3-0

Seton Hall

0-3

Seton Hall

Texas A&M

Feb 20, 2010 | Baseball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

Feb. 20, 2010

Final Stats

Rob Childress [mp3]

John Stilson [mp3]

Brodie Greene [mp3]

Caleb Shofner [mp3]

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Brodie Greene's RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning broke a tie game, and John Stilson threw four perfect innings of relief, as the Aggies downed Seton Hall, 6-3, to finish off a doubleheader sweep Saturday evening before 5,010 fans at Olsen Field. The Aggies took the first half of the twin-bill, 13-6.

With the score tied at three entering the last of the eighth, Joe Patterson tacked on a solo home run to close the three-run rally.

Stilson (1-0) closed a phenomenal mound debut by punching out the final two Pirate batters in the ninth to lock down the win in relief. The sophomore retired all 12 batters he faced on the evening in order, allowing just two balls out of the infield and striking out five.

The win gave the Aggies (3-0) a season-opening sweep, while Seton Hall fell to 0-3.

"It was a good day," head coach Rob Childress said. "Anytime you play a doubleheader, there are always a lot of things that can go against you. For us to win the first game and then to bounce back in game two, when their starter did a really nice job, that says a lot about our group. These guys left it all on the field these last two days, and I was proud of the way we finished today. I am really proud of these guys."

Pirate right fielder Will Walsh put his team on the board in the third with a two-out RBI single to right.

Texas A&M finally broke through in a big way off SHU starter Benny Mejia in the fourth, who sat down the first 10 hitters he faced in order.

With one out, Brodie Greene's laced a single to center--the Aggies' first hit of the night--and moved to third one out later on a Joe Patterson single. Caleb Shofner then followed by blasting an 0-2 pitch deep over the fence in left to stake the Aggies to a 3-1 lead.

Seton Hall scored a pair of unearned runs in the fifth off Nick Fleece to tie the game at three, but a great defensive play was able to keep the score where it was.

With one out, Michael Rogers doubled off the base of the wall in center to drive home the Pirates' third run. With the trail runner trying to score, Greene threw a strike to shortstop Adam Smith, who fired the ball home. Catcher Kevin Gonzalez tagged a sliding Walsh out for the frame's second out, and Fleece would induce an inning-ending groundout with the go-ahead run at third.

The score remained deadlocked until the Aggies' three-run eighth.

Aggie starter Nick Fleece went five complete and gave up six hits, three runs (one earned) while not factoring in the decision. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.

Mejia also got a no decision despite going seven complete and giving up seven hits and three earned runs. He did not walk a batter and fanned seven. Pirate lefty Ed Ras (0-1) took the loss, walking the only batter he faced on the night--Smith in the eighth inning.

Shofner finished the night 2-for-4 with the home run and three RBIs, while Patterson went 3-for-4 with the home run and two runs scored. Greene also added a pair of hits and the game-winning RBI.

Walsh was 2-for-4 in the leadoff spot and the only Seton Hall batter with multiple hits.

Texas A&M returns to action on Tuesday when the Aggies are scheduled to host Stephen F. Austin in a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. With inclement weather in the forecast, fans are asked to keep a close eye on aggieathletics.com for any possible changes. Tickets are available by calling 888-99-AGGIE or by visiting tickets.12thmanfoundation.com.

POSTGAME QUOTES

HEAD COACH Rob Childress

On the pitching performance of John Stilson: "Stilson was just outstanding. It was over when he got in the game. That was a pretty good performance and hopefully our starters will give us the luxury of keeping him at the back end of the bullpen."

On the efforts of his starters today: "I thought Stripling fought himself out there a bit and didn't attack all the time, but for his first collegiate start he did a nice job. Nick Fleece was as good as any of the three and deserved to stay out there a little longer had we fielded the ball behind him there in the fifth. But I thought he did a nice job too."

On the top of the lineup: "The top four guys in the lineup did a great job for us this weekend. I feel really good about that. We were able to play all 15 gusy this weekend and get them some game experience, which is something we really wanted to do. I wish we could have gotten another rpitcher or two in the game but that's going to come."

JUNIOR 1B Caleb Shofner

On the home runs: "I'd been seeing a lot of breaking balls all day, so I was sitting breaking ball. The lefty hung me a breaking ball and I was able to put a good swing on that. The righty left a breaking ball up in the zone after burying two good, sharp sliders and I was able to put a good swing on it."

On sweeping opening weekend: "That's big. It's tough to stay focused through 18 innings of a doubleheader, and I thought we did a really good job of that. Our pitching staff got us off to a great start and I think that's what it's all about--getting off to a good start on the mound and letting the offense roll and do what we do."

SENIOR CF Brodie Greene's

On his start to the season and comfort level: "Coach Deggs harped on it this past week, not putting any more added pressure on myself. I've done that in the past and I was able to just relax out there. It felt good."

On the top of the lineup's success... "Hitting is contagious. Once one guy gets going everyone else will get going. It just takes a spark, that's what happened there in the eighth and that got us going."

SOPHOMORE P John Stilson

On his first action as an Aggie... "It was amazing. I couldn't have asked for anything else. I've been waiting on this opportunity for a long time and I'm just thankful I got the opportunity to do it."

On his first mound appearance... "I love being out there and competing. I just threw today and had my defense behind me. They made the plays when I needed them. I knew my offense was going to get me a run as well. Everything was good."

On the confidence he takes from Saturday's outing and his role in the pitching staff... "It was a great start but I'm just ready for more. I'll do whatever the team needs me to do, it doesn't matter."