Texas A&M digs deep in Friday's 3-2 victory over Fresno State

GAME #14: Texas A&M 3, Fresno State 2
RECORDS: Texas A&M 13-1, Fresno State 11-3
WP: Jace Vines (3-0)
LP: Ricky Tyler Thomas (2-1)
SAVE: Ryan Hendrix (4)
BOX SCORE

---

A team as talented as Texas A&M takes more than just a few words to describe, but after a game like Friday night’s 3-2 victory over Fresno State, some come to mind: Depth and heart.

With the game not being secure until the final out was marked, and strong opposition on the mound, the Aggies needed both of those attributes in large order.

First, A&M’s depth was displayed in their lineup.

Hunter Melton demolished a full-count change-up in the second inning, on his birthday, to give A&M the early 1-0 lead. As an opposing pitcher, you may think the hard part is over now, but there truly is no easy slot within the Aggie lineup.

That became clearer in the fourth inning when Michael Barash stepped to the plate. With Melton on first, Barash sent a line-drive over the wall in left field and put the Ags up 3-0. The value of his bat in the lineup isn't lost on head coach Rob Childress.

“He’s got a great approach going right now offensively, and everybody knows what he does for us defensively,” Childress said. “But for him to be able to hit in the middle of the line-up and lengthen it a bit is huge.”

Down 3-0, Fresno State got on the board in the fifth inning, but bad decisions limited what could have been a big frame for the Bulldogs.

With Joe Prior on second after a lead-off double, Korby Batesole lined a 2-2 pitch into left field. There should have been runners on the corners, but Batesole made the push for an extra bag and A&M made him pay when Boomer White, the cut-off man, gunned him down at second.

That play kept the momentum in A&M’s favor and was a key moment in the starting pitcher’s mind.

“That play was huge because it prevented guys from being on second and third with nobody out. (The way our defense plays) I just have to do everything I can to keep the ball in play and let them work.”

While Prior would score from third one batter later to make things 3-1 on the scoreboard, the damage was limited to a single run after another Bulldog was caught trying to steal second for the final out.

One frame later the Bulldogs added another run.

With two outs in the sixth inning, Aaron Arruda took a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left field and just like that the Bulldogs were within a run at 3-2. They threatened to do more damage in the seventh after a two out walk and single put runners on first and second, knocking Jace Vines off the mound following 6.2 innings of work.

Cue the heart part of our superlative conversation earlier.

In came Ryan Hendrix and after getting his first pitch across for a strike, four straight balls loaded the bases. Always the fighter, Hendrix bared down and struck out the next man to escape the inning and preserve A&M’s slim lead.

The tense situations weren't done for the hard throwing righty as he found himself in yet another potential jam in the eighth inning.

With runners on first and second, Hendrix dug deep and struck out another Bulldog. In the ninth, with the score still knotted at 3-2 and the tying run at second base, he created two clutch outs and secured the ballgame for A&M.

That type of grit and determination didn't surprise anyone on Hendrix’s team.

“That’s what we expect out of Hendrix; to go out there and put up zero’s,” Hunter Melton said of the junior reliever. “He’s worked really hard and is the biggest competitor I’ve ever met. Hendrix just did what he does and closed out the game.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Jace Vines, who’s third win was locked up after Hendrix’s performance down the stretch.

“It’s an absolutely phenomenal feeling to hand (Hendrix) the ball. I just knew he was going to go to work and finish it off. I knew he was going to get out of that seventh inning and finish the rest.”

In what looks to be a series of tight games, the Aggies have a chance to reveal even more of their talents, depth, and heart.

The first of those chances comes tomorrow at 2:05 PM.