Lamkin works in and out of traffic as No. 14 A&M downs NMSU, 7-1
Game #14: No. 14 Texas A&M 7, New Mexico State 1
Records: Texas A&M (9-5, 0-0), New Mexico State (7-7, 0-0)
WP: Justin Lamkin (1-1)
LP: Hayden Lewis (0-1)
Box Score
The light at Bush and Olsen is among the worst in College Station.
Perhaps CSPD should call Justin Lamkin to help mitigate traffic that often backs up a few hundred feet from Blue Bell Park.
After all, the junior left-hander played traffic cop on Saturday, working in and out of jams during No. 14 Texas A&M's 7-1 win over New Mexico State.
"It's a good mix of being committed and having a free mind," Lamkin explained postgame. "I think I'm really good with balancing that 50-50, and I think that takes me out there when I'm on the mound."
Dealing not far from the aforementioned intersection, Lamkin allowed just one run across seven innings as he struck out 10 and walked none.
However, NMSU scattered eight hits off of Lamkin. The only blemish against him was a trio of sixth-inning singles that yielded a run with A&M already leading 6-0.
"Just attacking the zone early, getting ahead of counts, and that frees it up for me to do my thing," Lamkin said. "I think I did a good job of doing that throughout the seven innings."
Behind him, Luke Jackson became just the third A&M pitcher needed through two wins this weekend. Using a fastball that ran up to 97 mph, the righty tossed two scoreless frames as NMSU left four, including the bases loaded in the ninth.
In total, a baker's dozen of visitors were left on base.
While A&M won by a comfortable margin, the Maroon & White were out-hit, 11-10.
Saturday's deciding factor was A&M's 4-for-12 mark with runners in scoring position as opposed to NMSU's 1-for-7.
"We have a relentless approach and a relentless attitude," Kaeden Kent said. "When we're in at-bats, and we have a chance to score runs, we have to capitalize on that. Good baseball teams capitalize on that, and right now, we're doing that as a team. It's showing, and hopefully, we can keep it going."
Leading that charge was the A&M shortstop, who went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and three RBIs.
Kent’s third-inning three-bagger opened the scoring, and he now has an extra-base hit in five straight games.
"It felt good because I'm slow," Kent said with a smile. "That was sweet. I was more pumped to get to third than anything else. Shoot, I may have been more pumped to get to third than to hit a homer."
An inning later, Gavin Kash scored on a wild pitch, and Jacob Galloway drove in a run before Kent's two-run double completed a four-run fourth.
Kent and Galloway (2-for-4) were joined by Terrence Kiel II (2-for-4) and Sawyer Farr (2-for-3) as members of the home nine to enjoy a multi-hit performance
"When you throw strikes, play good defense and situational hit, which I think we've done a nice job of, that's all we can ask for," said A&M head coach Michael Earley.
A&M completed its scoring on Jace LaViolette's double in the sixth that clanked off the top of the right-field wall, falling inches shy of a three-run home run.
It was a moment of foreshadowing as a strong north wind cooled the late innings and projects to impact Sunday's series finale.
"We should be used to it by now," Earley said. "Weather affects both teams."
However, thanks to Ryan Prager on Friday and Lamkin's traffic expertise on Saturday, Earley & Co. are set up wonderfully to aim for the sweep when the three-game set concludes at 1 p.m. CT.
Indeed, the weekend has gone according to plan thus far.
"It feels good, especially with Myles (Patton) on the mound," Earley said. "We're in good shape."
