Pitching and defense the difference as Texas A&M defeats UIC, 3-1
Game #6: Texas A&M 3, Illinois-Chicago 1
Records: Texas A&M (6-0, 0-0), Illinois-Chicago (0-4, 0-0)
WP: John Doxakis (2-0)
LP: Jacob Key (0-2)
SV: Kasey Kalich (3)
Box Score
On another chilly Februrary night at Blue Bell Park, Texas A&M won their sixth straight game, defeating the Flames of Illinois-Chicago, 3-1. On Friday night, it was all about pitching and defense as neither side could really muster any sort of offense.
“When you bring your glove to the field everyday and can throw [the ball] over the plate with good stuff, you’re going to have a chance in every game,” said head coach Rob Childress. “We’re certainly proving that through the first six games of the year. Our pitching and defense have been outstanding and in a Friday night fight, that was the difference in the game.”
To say defense was the difference in the game would be an understatement. The Aggies only allowed one unearned run, while the Flames allowed two unearned (three in total) runs on a whopping five errors. In fact, four of those errors came in the third inning when A&M was able to plate two. In fact, the only earned run of the night was an RBI groundout from 2B Bryce Blaum, giving A&M the lead in the 3rd.
But to suggest that the game was decided solely on errors would be fallacious. John Doxakis threw six solid innings, striking out eight and walking two. While it wasn’t his best outting, Dox still buckled down and worked out of some jams early. When asked about his performance after the game, Dox was very quick to give the credit to his defense.
“Honestly I didn’t feel my best today,” said the Aggies’ ace. “Those are the days where you lean on your defense and they did a great job tonight...When you know your defense is going to make plays like that and you’re not feeling your best, you still feel like you’re capable of competing and giving your team a chance to win.”
A&M’s defense did come up big in a couple key spots, including fantastic defensive stops from freshman Ty Coleman and yet another runner gunned down by catcher Mikey Hoehner.
Still, the question remains, why are A&M’s bats so cold right now? The Ags only mustered four total hits on the night, going 4 for 31 at the plate.
“We’re just trying to hit hard, flat balls back up the middle. We’ve just got to stick to it and keep plugging away,” said first baseman Aaron Walters, who had one of the Aggies’ four hits on the evening. “Our hitting will come around, it just takes time.”
While is isn’t the answer that many fans will want, Walters is right. Baseball is all about who is playing well in the moment, and a team can change their performance, for better or worse, on a nightly basis.
But the bottom line is this: Texas A&M is finding ways to win, plain and simple. At the end of the day, the team that finds a way to win will be left standing on top, and so far that has worked for the Maroon and White.
The Aggies are 6-0 and will go for the series win tomorrow against the Flames as LHP Asa Lacy (1-0) will take to the rubber. Lacy will be looking for his second win on the campaign as first pitch is expected to be at 2pm.