Flames strike late as A&M falls in series finale on Sunday, 7-2
Game #8: Illinois-Chicago 7, Texas A&M 2
Records: Texas A&M (7-1, 0-0), Illinois-Chicago (1-5, 0-0)
WP: Joey Fredrickson (1-0)
LP: Jonathan Childress (0-1)
Box Score
A late game offensive push from the Flames on Sunday afternoon saw the Aggies lose 7-2, putting an end to their near three season February winning streak at 16 games.
Aggie starting pitcher Jonathan Childress came out attacking the strike zone early and got the Flames out in order in the top of the first to set the tone on the rubber. Second baseman Bryce Blaum gave A&M an early cushion with a leadoff solo shot over the left field wall in the bottom of the first.
Jonathan Childress picked up right where he left off in the first and continued dominating the Flames’ lineup, sitting down the next five UIC hitters after his three up, three down first inning. The Flames got their first base runner of the game on an infield single by DH Ryan Hampe, but the UIC threat was quickly ended by a 6-4-3 double play.
The Aggies scored their second run of the game in the bottom of third. A line drive from Ty Condel couldn’t be handled by UIC shortstop Matt Bottcher, a play that was ruled a single. He was moved over to second on a productive ground ball out by Bryce Blaum, and then Mikey Hoehner hit a line drive up the middle for an RBI to give the Aggies a 2-0 lead through three innings.
Childress ran into trouble in the sixth after five strong innings. An error by Aaron Walters at first base set up a double from Sean Dee to give UIC their first run of the game. UIC leadoff hitter Scott Ota then hit a two-run home run over the right field foul pole to give the Flames a 3-2 lead, ending Childress’ day on the mound.
“He had all of his stuff today,” Aggie catcher Mikey Hoehner said of Jonathan Childress. “When a guy's got command of all three pitches he's going to be dangerous. Unfortunately, he made two bad pitches and they took advantage of those pitches."
Dustin Saenz was called on in relief of Childress and ended the UIC sixth with a strikeout and an unassisted double play off a caught line drive and step on first from Aggie first baseman Aaron Walters.
Now given the lead, UIC starting pitcher Joey Fredrickson found a second wind and a new bout of confidence going into the sixth and sat the Aggies down in order in the next three innings, wrapping up his day on the mound. UIC senior Alex Padilla came on in relief of Fredrickson in the bottom of the ninth with a 7-2 lead and sat the Aggies down in order to finish the game.
“Joey Frederickson was outstanding. I felt like we had some great at bats against him early, hit a lot of balls hard,” Rob Childress said regarding UIC’s pitching performance. “Bryce Blaum singles [in the fifth] and then the next thing you know, 12 in a row had been retired.
This is the Aggies’ first loss of the 2019 season.
“Give Illinois-Chicago all the credit. They played a lot better than we did for nine innings today,” Rob Childress Said. “A lot of new challenges ahead, not a lot of time to dwell on it.”
Texas A&M will be back on Olsen Field on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Houston Baptist.