Game #42: No. 21 Texas A&M 12, Vanderbilt 4
Records: Texas A&M (27-15, 12-9), Vanderbilt (29-13, 10-11)
WP: Joseph Menefee (2-2)
LP: Bryce Cunningham (2-1)
Box Score
Joseph Menefee and the Aggie offense had little trouble reasserting their recent dominance.
Sporadic outbursts of scoring and a nearly untouchable relief performance from Menefee piloted No. 21 Texas A&M towards their fourth consecutive Southeastern Conference series victory, handily defeating Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon, 12-4.
The southpaw shined in the 93-pitch display, topping career numbers set just seven days ago against Arkansas by working through 5.1 innings and fanning nine batters.
Jamie Maury, TexAgs
Menefee worked a career-high 5.1 innings and struck out nine en route to his second victory of the season.
Menefee held the Commodores scoreless for four innings until a throwing error by Kole Kaler allowed Spencer Jones to score in the sixth. Limiting the damage, Menefee’s ninth and final strikeout escaped a bases-loaded jam to preserve what was then a five-run advantage.
“Unbelievable. He’s been that way, for the most part, for the past month and a half,” Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle said of Menefee. “Vanderbilt hasn’t swung as well against our left-hand pitching, so we had a stack of lefties ready to go. Thought it was time to just change the overall momentum of the game.”
The Aggies struck first in the first inning as Troy Claunch plated two runners on a two-out RBI single to right-center.
Vanderbilt responded quickly, chasing Aggie starter Brad Rudis after one inning with an RBI single and two-run homer to take a short-lived 3-2 lead.
On the precipice of an early back-and-forth affair, the Aggies took firm control in the second inning with a generous stream of RBI singles from four different players, assembling a five-run frame.
Ryan Targac obliterated a 489-foot, two-run missile to right center with an astonishing exit velocity of 109 mph in the fifth inning. The sophomore’s personal charge wasn’t quite done yet, effortlessly smashing a three-run bomb in the eighth to put the game completely out of reach.
Targac’s second multi-home run outing of his career alongside Claunch’s stellar 4-for-5 and four-RBI performance headlined the offensive front. Austin Bost and Jack Moss also provided ample support, finishing 2-for-3 and 2-for-5, respectively, with an RBI apiece.
“Like I said before, no disrespect, but this program is in no position to think of anything other than making the SEC Tournament and putting ourselves in the best possible position to do that.”
- A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle
“Lot of big two-out hits, obviously Targac’s two home runs were a huge part of it,” Schlossnagle said. “Guys staying on baseballs staying in the middle of the field. When we use the middle of the field and compete deep into at-bats, we’re a good offensive team.”
Sophomore Will Johnston tossed the final 2.1 innings and punched out four batters.
Commodore pitching combined for 16 strikeouts but struggled to find an answer to the Aggie bats, running through six arms with four only lasting for a full inning.
The Maroon & White’s streak of excellence continued as they have now outscored opponents 63-26 in their last four series finales.
With Vanderbilt sitting at No. 5 in RPI rankings, the win keeps the Aggies on target to not only make the NCAA Tournament but also puts them in a position to possibly host.
However, Schlossnagle continues to reaffirm his commitment to sticking to a formula that has carried the group thus far.
“We’re just trying to play the day, not thinking ahead of ourselves,” Schlossnagle said. “Like I said before, no disrespect, but this program is in no position to think of anything other than making the SEC Tournament and putting ourselves in the best possible position to do that.
“Whatever residual effects of that there are, that’s great. We respect the game and the opponents in this league way too much to start thinking of anything other than just today.”
Texas A&M will return to Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park to begin an eight-game homestand with a Tuesday night clash against UT-Arlington.
First pitch is set for 6:32 p.m. CT.