Texas A&M falls to No. 21 Auburn, 6-1, to close Round Rock Classic
Game #8: No. 21 Auburn 6, Texas A&M 1
Records: Texas A&M (4-4), No. 21 Auburn (6-2)
WP: Trace Bright (2-0)
LP: Jonathan Childress (0-1)
Box score
Offensive futility and bullpen instability.
Texas A&M dropped the finale of the Round Rock Classic to No. 21 Auburn, 6-1, on Sunday afternoon in what was officially a non-conference game between the SEC foes. The Aggies accumulated only four hits as the bullpen allowed five runs across the final three innings.
“Both pitchers went nose-to-nose and we made two mistakes in two-strike counts, and they grabbed the lead,” said Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress.
Auburn starter Trace Bright was masterful as he locked into a pitchers’ duel with A&M lefty Jonathan Childress early.
“I wouldn’t say it was my first time in a pitchers’ duel,” Jonathan Childress said. “I’m definitely comfortable in that situation. Wish the outcome was a little bit different.”
Jonathan Childress blinked first in the fourth as back-to-back two-out hits scored the Tigers' first run. His day finished after six innings, giving up the lone run on four hits while walking three and striking out four.
“I thought he was outstanding,” Rob Childress said. “We got to (find some pieces in the bullpen) and we got to do that if we’re going to have a successful pitching staff.”
Opposite Jonathan Childress, Bright utilized a four-pitch mix to keep the Aggies off-balance. The sophomore right-hander tossed six innings of scoreless ball and allowed just three hits en route to his second victory of the year.
“[Bright] was able to consistently stay in the zone,” said Texas A&M catcher Mikey Hoehner. “Hats off to him, but we got to do a better job of getting guys on base.”
Despite scoring 20 runs in the first two games in Round Rock, A&M's offense sputtered and didn't score until the bottom of the ninth. Trailing 6-0, Will Frizzell roped a double to left for the Aggies' only extra-base hit of the game, later scoring on Logan Sartori's sacrifice fly.
“As a hitting team, we got to do better than that,” Hoehner said. “We got to give (the bullpen) more breathing room when they come into the game.”
In relief of Jonathan Childress in the seventh, true freshman Nathan Dettmer couldn't hold the deficit at one, allowing two runs while mustering just one out. Auburn scored two in the eighth off Will Johnston and one more in the ninth against Trevor Werner.
“The difference today was their bullpen was a lot better than ours,” Rob Childress said.
Still, it was a successful weekend for the Maroon & White, finishing the Round Rock Classic with a 2-1 record and the tournament championship.
“We’ve been good this weekend, and we’ve shown signs of being great,” Jonathan Childress said. “We got to find out what’s going to make us great all the time.”
Now 4-4 on the season, A&M begins a second-consecutive five-game week on Tuesday as the Aggie look to get right.
“We got to flush this one and move on,” Rob Childress said. “It’s another five-game week.”
First-pitch between Texas A&M and Houston Baptist is scheduled for 6:32 p.m. CT on Tuesday night at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.