Texas A&M takes advantage of five-run sixth inning, cruises past Iowa, 7-3
Game #10: Texas A&M 7, Iowa 3
Records: Texas A&M (7-3, 0-0), Iowa (5-5, 0-0)
WP: Jacob Palisch (1-1)
LP: Brody Brecht (1-2)
Box Score
Pitching, defense and timely hitting. The Aggies got all three.
One big inning helped Texas A&M defeat Iowa, 7-3, on Saturday night in the Frisco Classic at Riders Field. A resurgence of timely hitting helped the Aggies take advantage of shoddy Hawkeye defense.
“The difference in the game for us was we finally got some hits with runners in scoring position,” Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “They gave us some free bases, for sure.”
Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Iowa committed three errors, and the Aggies pounced for a five-run frame. Troy Claunch, Logan Britt and Jack Moss recorded RBIs in the sixth, with Moss driving in a pair with two outs.
“It feels good to finally get the timely hits when we need them,” Claunch said.
In total, the Hawkeyes gifted the Aggies five unearned runs, including two in the second when Kole Kaler drove in the game’s first runs with a two-run single.
During the middle frames, strikeouts continued to plague the Aggies as Dylan Nedved punched out nine across 4.2 innings. Iowa pitching struck out 11 total.
“We’re not trying to strike out,” Claunch said. “We’re working on that, and we’re trying to get better.
“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing, sticking to our approach, and it will iron itself out.”
After a brilliant performance a week ago, Micah Dallas turned in a serviceable five innings in which he allowed two runs on six hits while striking out seven.
“I thought Micah battled,” Schlossnagle said. “He had a good fastball today. Micah also threw some good change-ups, mixed those in. Pretty complete performance against a good team.”
Dallas pitched around traffic all evening as the Hawkeyes got the leadoff man aboard in each of his final three innings of work.
Jacob Palisch was much improved in relief, tossing two innings and punching out three en route to his first win as an Aggie. The only run against Palisch came unearned in the seventh.
“He had his slider going. He had his fastball down, commanding it,” Schlossnagle said. “I think he was just rested.”
Fireballer Chris Cortez worked a scoreless eighth and ninth, recording three strikeouts in the process.
“Pitching, defense, timely hitting; when you get all three, you win, and that’s what happened today,” Schlossnagle said.
Sitting at 1-1 in the Frisco Classic, Texas A&M contest the tournament on Sunday night against Wichita State at 6 p.m. CT. The Shockers are 2-0 on the weekend.