Texas A&M opens Round Rock Classic with 12-4 beatdown of Baylor

Game #6: Texas A&M 12, Baylor 4
Records: Texas A&M (3-3), Baylor (1-3)
WP: Dustin Saenz (1-1)
LP: Blake Helton (0-2)
Box score

Just like old times, eh?

Texas A&M opened the 2021 Round Rock Classic with a 12-4 win over former Big 12 rival Baylor on Friday night at Dell Diamond. A&M's offense amassed 13 hits and took advantage of four Baylor errors as the Maroon & White cruised to victory.

“I was just very proud of the aggression we played with tonight,” said Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress. “Up and down the lineup, guys were willing to do what it takes to set up innings, and we certainly got some big two-out hits.”

That would be an understatement. The Aggies were 7-for-16 (.438) and scored nine runs with two outs. Blowing it open in the fifth inning, A&M scored five runs with two gone in the frame.

“It was just a lot gritty at-bats up and down the lineup, and it really speaks to what we’ve been trying to preach all fall and all spring,” said first baseman Will Frizzell.

Mikey Hoehner provided the Aggie offense with a jolt in the second when he crushed a two-run home run to left field to open the scoring. Of course, the blast came with two gone in the frame.

“To continue to gather momentum with those two-out hits is just a very important thing,” Childress said.

A&M's offensive barrage continued after Baylor starter Blake Helton departed after 3.1. Eight Aggies registered a hit on the evening.

In the five-run fifth, Frizzell put the finishing touches on the rally with a two-out, two-run moon shot to right. He has four home runs already seven days into the season.

“(Hambleton Oliver) had thrown me the slider first pitch, and I missed it and was pretty upset about it,” Frizzell said. “He ended up going back to it with two strikes, and I got it and knew I got it. It felt really good.”

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Mike Hoehner’s second-inning home run opened the scoring, and the Aggies didn’t look back.

Starting pitcher Dustin Saenz turned in a solid start, moving up a day in the rotation to match up better with Baylor's left-handed heavy lineup. Saenz threw 5.2 innings and struck out five while giving up three runs on nine hits. While he wasn't perfect, Saenz gave the Aggies what they needed on Friday night.

“Dustin has been as consistent as anybody for us since the fall,” Childress said. “I think it comes down to his maturity and growth as a young man.”

Chandler Jozwiak threw 2.1 innings and gave up just one run, a Kyle Harper solo homer to lead off the eighth. In the ninth, Chris Farrell slammed the door shut in his Aggie debut.

With the win, Texas A&M reached the .500 plateau for the first time this season, still looking to fully find their stride in the non-conference slate.

The Aggies continue their weekend in Round Rock on Saturday evening with Oklahoma as Opening Day starter Bryce Miller will take the ball for A&M. First-pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.