Courtesy: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team put the final touches on its fall practice slate over the weekend with second annual Blue-Grey Classic at Chapman Field. The Blue team came out victorious in all three games with each game decided by no more than two runs.
In the opening game, the Blue rallied from a 3-0 deficit to knock off the Grey 7-5. Blue starter Andrew Toppert gave up three runs in the top of the first but then settled in and did not allow another run over his final five innings of work. In six innings, he pitched six innings and gave up three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Brett Gibson got the last five outs for the save.
At the plate, the blue team was paced by sophomore outfielder Jacob Perales. Perales was 3-for-4 with four RBI. Shortstop Brycen Bell also had two hits for the blue team. For the Grey southpaw Roy Ferdin took the loss. He threw 6 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits while striking out six. Jacob Perez led the offense for the Grey going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI as he transitions from the mound ot the outfield.
In game two, the Grey suffered a heartbreaking loss as they tried to bounce back from the opening game loss.
Grey jumped out to a 5-3 lead after five innings but they could not hold off the Blue in extra innings. The Blue team tied the game with single runs in the top of the 8th and 9th before scoring a run in the tenth to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Gibson again pitched the last 5 outs of the game for the win. Andrew Longoria had a great outing pitching 3.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, while striking out five and issuing no walks. Senior Justin Greiner and freshman Matt Rocha each had two hits to lead the Blue.
Brett Carnline received a no decision even though he had an strong outing for the Grey. The junior pitched six innings while holding the Blue to three runs on three hits. He struck out six and did not walk any batters. The Grey bats were led by freshman Chris Famiglietti. The rookie was 2-for-4 with a double while reaching base 4 times.
Like the opener, game three was another 6-5 win for the Blue team as Bell hit a 2-run double that finished off the Grey team in the bottom of the 9th inning. Senior Stephen Flora had three hits for the Blue. The Blue bullpen was the highlight of the day – Jesse Maldonado and Jacob Liedka combined to throw 4.1 of one-hit relief with no runs and two Ks.
The Blue team got a solid start from sophomore Trey Hernandez who pitched 6 innings. He allowed three runs on five hits and struckout eight.
“It was great to see the three games be so competitive,” said Islander head coach Scott Malone. “It was exciting to see the games decided by a total of four runs over the weekend. We had a great turn out from our fans and the were treated to some great fall baseball.”
The team will now turn set its sights to strength and conditioning running five days a week and lifting weights with strength and conditioning coach Jeff Paluseo four times a week. Fall workouts will come to an end on Dec. 3 and the players will prepare for the finals. The 2009 season will begin on Feb. 20 with a four-game series at the University of New Mexico. The Lobos play their home games at Isotope Park the AAA home of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
