Aggie Baseball: Offense sputters early in 7-4 loss to Alabama

GAME #39: Alabama 7, Texas A&M 4
RECORDS:  Alabama 24-16 (9-8); Texas A&M 31-8 (11-6)
WP: Jake Walters (4-3)
LP: Jace Vines (6-1)
BOX SCORE

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Following Saturday’s game, A&M head coach Rob Childress felt like his team was simply outplayed in every facet of the game.

While that’s true, when you look at A&M’s 7-4 loss to Alabama in the middle game of this weekend’s series, you cannot help but think a majority of the body blows the Aggies received were self-inflicted.

Take the second inning for example: In the top of the frame, A&M collected two quick outs before allowing three consecutive infield singles. The second of those went just under the glove of starting pitcher Jace Vines. You get that and who knows what happens.

As is, a hard hit ball towards short off the bat of Will Haynie was snagged by Austin Homan; but his throw to first was off-target and allowed Alabama to take a 1-0 lead.

A&M would never catch up, due in large part to things like the bottom of the second inning.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, A&M failed to get a single run across. After the game, Hunter Melton spoke about that sequence’s impact on the outcome.

“Bases loaded, nobody out and we couldn't push a run across. It’s baseball, that happens, but on the other end, that cannot happen,” Said Melton. “It took the fire out of the dugout and they took the momentum after that inning and never let up. They just outplayed us today.”

Down by a score of 2-0 in the sixth inning, the Aggies were well within reach despite their previous mistakes. But, after back-to-back doubles scored a run and knocked Jace Vines from the mound, mistakes reared their ugly head once more.

With the bases loaded, Ty Schlottmann fired a wild pitch into the dirt that escaped Michael Barash’s grasp. With one runner heading for the plate, Barash scrambled for the ball and eventually threw it away. Another run scored on the error and A&M found itself down 5-0.

Giving away runs hurts in any game, but against a team that’s known for their pitching like Alabama, it is all the more gut-wrenching.

Vines touched on that critical component of Saturday’s loss.

“They’re known for their pitching and they proved that,” He said. “Starting with myself, we didn't get the job done on the mound. When they are that good on the mound, you have to limit those mistakes and we didn’t.”

When Chandler Taylor’s two-run homer in the ninth put Alabama up 7-0, it seemed like mere salt in the wound. But, as it turns out, A&M made a run in the back half of that inning by scoring four runs and getting to Alabama’s closer, Thomas Burrows.

While the comeback fell short, getting to the closer may be pivotal in the deciding game on Sunday.

“It’s nice to get their closer in at the end of the game, that’s one positive takeaway,” Said Melton. “I feel like he’s not feeling too good because we took some pitches away from him and some guys got to see him,”

“I think that’s good going into tomorrow, knowing what he’s got.”

The Aggies will try to use that knowledge tomorrow at 1:05 as they attempt to win the rubber match and the series.