Doxakis twirls gem as Aggies blank Fordham in Opening Day win, 4-0

Game #1: Texas A&M 4, Fordham 0
Records: Texas A&M (1-0, 0-0), Fordham (0-1, 0-0)
WP: John Doxakis (1-0)
LP: Matt Mikulski (0-1)
Box Score

It was a near perfect night at Blue Bell Park on Friday evening as Texas A&M knocked off the visiting Fordham Rams on Opening Day, 4-0. John Doxakis, a preseason All-American, took the mound for the Aggies and lived up to the term “ace.” Dox was on point from the word go and used command and location to keep the Fordham bats quiet and guessing all night long.

When asked about the shutout and strikeouts Head Coach Rob Childress said, “The pitching was outstanding. John Doxakis and Chandler Joziwak were amazing.”

“It was all sliders, there were a couple of punchouts with the change up but mostly sliders.”

Dox fired seven complete innings and struck out 12 Rams hitters, mostly using the aforementioned sliders, while allowing only one hit. The slider wasn’t just used as a strikeout pitch, however. In fact, Dox purposefully lead with the breaking pitches to keep a fastball hungry Fordham team off their game. When the lights were brightest, Dox thrived.

“Words can’t describe how awesome this is. It’s everyone’s dream to be able to start on Opening Day and I’m just lucky to have that opportunity.” I think what helped a lot was throwing first pitch breakers...I don’t like throwing anything straight and so it was all about throwing it over the plate and not throwing it straight.”

Meanwhile the Aggie bats gave their ace the support he would need. Fifth year senior Johnathan Ducoff lifted a sac fly into center field that scored catcher Mikey Hoehner from third. On a night when one run would have been enough, Logan Foster added two more on a monster homerun that cleared the scoreboard in left field. 

“Change up,” said Foster when asked what the pitch was. “Bryce [Blaum] battled in his AB to get on right away and we’ve preached all fall that on two strikes we are going to battle and pass it on to the next guy. I was just lucky enough to get the big hit.”

The Aggies added their final run on a base hit into left field by Aaron Walters, closing the scoring on the evening at 4-0. 

Texas A&M was also aided by a sensational effort from catcher Mikey Hoehner. Hoehner was a junior college transfer during the offseason and won his starting role behind the plate during the fall training season with ease. 

“Hoehner caught his tail off tonight. He had to block a lot of tough sliders and he didn’t miss one.” said Childress when asked about his backstop. 

TexAgs

A great manager of the pitching staff, A&M catcher Mikey Hoehner is being compared to a recent Aggie great, Michael Barash.

Hoehner is a plus defender and his bat has drawn comparisons to former A&M catcher and captain Michael Barash. His skills and leadership, both on and off the field, will certainly be tested this season as A&M tries to make another run at the post season. 

“He’s a great team guy. I grew up playing with him...we’re so lucky to have him and just are thankful that he’s here,” said John Doxakis of his battery mate. 

Maybe the only draw back to a perfect night at Olsen was the fact that the Aggies did commit two errors. The first one was credited to SS Braden Shewmake on a weird play where Shewmake fielded the ball and threw it accurately to first, but 1B Hunter Coleman pulled his foot. The other was a ball that squirted through the legs of Ducoff at third. Despite the two mistakes, the Aggies threw a shutout and Fordham only managed two hits. In fact, at one point 14 straight Rams were set down by Doxakis and Chandler Joziwak. All in all, it was a very good night to be an Aggie. 

Texas A&M will look to win the series tomorrow afternoon as the Aggies host game two against the Rams, first pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m. with LHP Asa Lacy toeing the rubber for the Maroon & White.