Rob Childress
Nick Choruby
Kaylor Chafin
Texas A&M Baseball
Aggie Baseball falls flat in all phases in 8-0 loss to Arkansas
Game #56: Arkansas 8, Texas A&M 0
S: Kevin Kopps (2)
BOX SCORE
The Aggies came into Saturday’s regular season finale with the Arkansas Razorbacks looking to notch another series win before heading to postseason play next week in Hoover, Alabama.
However, Arkansas starter Blaine Knight and the Razorback bats had other ideas as they blew the doors off of the Aggies. Texas A&M found itself with an 8-0 shutout loss to close the season at Olsen Field.
The pitching duo of Blaine Knight and Kevin Kopps completely shut down the Aggie bats the entire game, allowing only five hits, striking out six and issuing just one free pass. Nick Choruby was the only A&M hitter who looked comfortable at the plate, going 2-4 with two singles on the game.
“He (Knight) did a great job. He suffocated us. He was the aggressor, and we didn’t have a runner in scoring position until the eighth inning. That’s not many opportunities,” said A&M head coach Rob Childress.
Stephen Kolek got the start for the Aggies, but only lasted four innings on the mound. Kolek was pulled for Kaylor Chafin after a lead-off home run from Arkansas first baseman Chad Spanberger and back-to-back singles chased the right-hander.
One more run scored in the top of the fifth with Chafin on the mound.
When the book closed on the half inning, it was 5-0 Arkansas. Kolek finished with a final line of 4.0 IP, eight hits, five runs, two walks and three strikeouts.
The Razorbacks continued to swing the bats throughout the game, and in the top of the eighth inning, Spanberger got in on the action once again. With freshman John Doxakis pitching, Spanberger lifted a 3-2 pitch over the wall in left for an opposite-field home run. It was Spanberger’s second homer of the game and 14th of the season.
The highlight of the game for A&M came in the top of the second when Braden Shewmake showed off his impressive range at second base. With a runner on first, Shewmake tracked down a would-be bloop single in shallow center with a nice over the shoulder basket catch.
Up next, the Aggies will head to Hoover, Alabama for the SEC Championships. Texas A&M will play on Tuesday, but the game time will not be determined until the final SEC standings are official.
“We’re going there to win a ring and a trophy. That’s what's on the line. We’re going to go play our best and give ourselves a chance to win the championship,” said Childress.
Records: Arkansas 39-15 (18-11), Texas A&M 36-20 (16-14)
WP: Blaine Knight (7-4)
LP: Stephen Kolek (3-4)S: Kevin Kopps (2)
BOX SCORE
The Aggies came into Saturday’s regular season finale with the Arkansas Razorbacks looking to notch another series win before heading to postseason play next week in Hoover, Alabama.
However, Arkansas starter Blaine Knight and the Razorback bats had other ideas as they blew the doors off of the Aggies. Texas A&M found itself with an 8-0 shutout loss to close the season at Olsen Field.
The pitching duo of Blaine Knight and Kevin Kopps completely shut down the Aggie bats the entire game, allowing only five hits, striking out six and issuing just one free pass. Nick Choruby was the only A&M hitter who looked comfortable at the plate, going 2-4 with two singles on the game.
“He (Knight) did a great job. He suffocated us. He was the aggressor, and we didn’t have a runner in scoring position until the eighth inning. That’s not many opportunities,” said A&M head coach Rob Childress.
Stephen Kolek got the start for the Aggies, but only lasted four innings on the mound. Kolek was pulled for Kaylor Chafin after a lead-off home run from Arkansas first baseman Chad Spanberger and back-to-back singles chased the right-hander.
I feel like Arkansas is as good an offensive team as we’ve seen the last 10 weeks.
“The first two innings, he was really good. Then we got into some hitters counts, and I feel like Arkansas is as good an offensive team as we’ve seen the last 10 weeks,” added Childress on Kolek’s performance.One more run scored in the top of the fifth with Chafin on the mound.
When the book closed on the half inning, it was 5-0 Arkansas. Kolek finished with a final line of 4.0 IP, eight hits, five runs, two walks and three strikeouts.
The Razorbacks continued to swing the bats throughout the game, and in the top of the eighth inning, Spanberger got in on the action once again. With freshman John Doxakis pitching, Spanberger lifted a 3-2 pitch over the wall in left for an opposite-field home run. It was Spanberger’s second homer of the game and 14th of the season.
The highlight of the game for A&M came in the top of the second when Braden Shewmake showed off his impressive range at second base. With a runner on first, Shewmake tracked down a would-be bloop single in shallow center with a nice over the shoulder basket catch.
Up next, the Aggies will head to Hoover, Alabama for the SEC Championships. Texas A&M will play on Tuesday, but the game time will not be determined until the final SEC standings are official.
“We’re going there to win a ring and a trophy. That’s what's on the line. We’re going to go play our best and give ourselves a chance to win the championship,” said Childress.
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