Brooks Raley-Texas A&M
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
The Farmers pushed across three runs in their final two at-bats to move within one game of the Aggie Baseball Fall World Series title with a 4-2 win over the Plowboys Monday afternoon at Olsen Field.
The game was tied at one entering the last of the seventh, where Farmer third baseman Jordan Chambless lined a one-out single to center off reliever Steve Martin. After Chambless stole second and moved to third on a Zack Luther groundout, right fielder Brooks Raley brought the senior home with a hard single up the middle to make the score 2-1.
The Plowboys threatened with a two-out rally in the eighth off Farmers reliever Denny Clement, as the freshman walked Brett Parsons and gave up a single to center off the bat of Adam Smith. The Farmers then went to the pen and closer Shane Minks, who got David Alleman to ground into a fielder’s choice at second and preserve the lead.
Brodie Greene began the Farmer eighth with a deep triple to the gap in right center, and came home one out later on an RBI single to center past the drawn-in infield by Dylan Petrich. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Randall Thorpe was hit by a pitch to plate Petrich and extend the Farmer lead to 4-1. Plowboys closer Travis Starling then entered the game and got the next two batters to send the game to the ninth.
With Plowboy catcher Kevin Gonzalez having to leave the game for a late class, pitcher Clayton Ehlert was forced off the bench to pinch-hit to open the ninth. The junior worked the count full before drawing a leadoff walk. After another pitcher, pinch-runner Tyler Dyer, stole second, Plowboy DH Andrew Nettune walked as well to bring the potential go-ahead run to the plate in Kyle Colligan.
Minks induced a check-swing grounder towards third off the bat of Colligan, then made a nice play on a throw to second to get Nettune for the first out of the inning. Scott Arthur followed with a deep fly ball to left, scoring Dyer and making the score 4-2. Minks then struck out Nick Anders to end the game and pick up his second save of the series.
Both starting pitchers were very strong but did not factor in the decision.
Plowboys righty Chad Sherman lasted six complete and scattered three hits and three walks while fanning two. He allowed one run on the afternoon, an RBI double by Raley in the third.
Farmers southpaw Ross Hales allowed six hits in six innings, walking one and striking out five. His lone run allowed came courtesy a two-out RBI single through the right side by Smith in Hales’ final inning of work.
Clement (2-0) picked up the win in relief, his second of the series, allowing one hit and two walks while fanning two in 1 2/3 innings. Minks earned his second save in as many games, giving up one earned run in 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief.
Raley and Greene each had a pair of hits for the Farmers, with Raley driving in a pair. Smith went 3-for-4 with the sixth-inning RBI for the Plowboys.
The Farmers will look for the Fall World Series crown on Tuesday as game four is set to begin at 3 p.m. at Olsen Field. Junior Scott Migl will get the ball, while the Plowboys will counter with junior lefty Tyler Dyer. Admission is free and fans are encouraged to attend. The final game of the series, which will be played regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s game, is set for Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.
FALL WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE:
Game 1: Plowboys 9, Farmers 4
Game 2: Farmers 7, Plowboys 6
Game 3: Farmers 4, Plowboys 2
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m.
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.
