GOODWELL, Okla.— The Aggies faced a tough challenge in the No. 21 Texas Wesleyan Rams over the weekend (Mar. 8/9) to fall short in the first two games (0-6; 6-8) before earning a victory on the series finale at Aggie Field (9-6).
On a cold Friday morning, the Aggies struggled offensively in game one against the Wesleyan pitching as the Rams' Glad posted a shutout 0-6. Panhandle was able to strand 11 Rams on the bases, but Joey Goetze took a tough turn on the mound, allowing five of the Rams' hits and taking the loss on the day.
The Aggies got on the board early in game two, plating a run in the bottom of the first but Wesleyan answered back in the top of the second to tie the game at one run a piece. The next inning remained quiet for both teams, but the Rams added three runs in the top of the fourth and another in the subsequent inning to further the advantage (1-5). With
Yesiel Valdez landing just beyond the strike zone,
Jeremy Norris entered to pitch for Panhandle in the sixth. The Aggies saw the beginnings of a comeback in the bottom of the frame as pinch runners Brandon Gonzales and
Logan Koch crossed the plate (3-5) but the Rams' Campero sent a 3RBI homerun over right field to keep the lead in the top of the seventh (5-8). The Aggies fought back in the bottom of the inning, as
Luis Rodriguez lead off with a hard hit single through the right side.
Aaron Moreno came in to pinch run and was advanced by a line drive from
Jared Mayeda through the right side gap.
Luis Dermas took the bases for Mayeda, and Moreno stole his way to third and came in to score on an error by the Rams' catcher. Jorge Santiago stepped in to pinch hit and took his opportunity to single through to right center to score Dermas. Moreno stepped in again to exercise his base running for Dermas and was able to cross the plate once more before
Jaylon Burnett was tagged out attempting to take second after a single through the left side got him to first base. The rally was cut short and the Aggies would take their second loss of the day, 6-8.
Saturday's game three started off with hot bats from the Aggies, as an RBI from Mayeda and a 2BRI double from
Kasey Leatherwood plated three runs in the bottom of the first. With
Corey Ley on the mound for Panhandle, Wesleyan put two runs on the board in the top of the second, and edged out the lead with another four runs in the following inning. The Aggies continued to battle, as a sac fly from
Payton Rhodes brought in a run in the bottom of the third. Tyler Byrant took the mound in the fourth and sent the Rams three up-three down with back to back K's and a pop up.
The Aggies loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame and the Rams walked in a run on a balk.
JJ Vaught stepped up with a hard hit single through the left side gap, advancing to second on an error and sending two runs across the plate to take the lead (7-6). An RBI single from Rhodes scored Vaught to take the Aggies up (8-6). Bryant and the defense sent three consecutive Rams back to the dugout in the top of the fifth and the Aggies added another run as a single from
Chris Galvan sent Moreno across the plate (9-6). With six K's over four innings pitched and a 0 ERA, Bryant kept the Rams in check through the seventh.
Charlie Marini stepped in in relief on the mound to earn the save as he and the defense held Wesleyan to no additional runs, taking Rams three up-three down in the eighth and ninth innings to give the Aggies the win (9-6).
The Aggies now hold a 13-9 record on the season, going 4-2 in conference. The team will take to the road this week as they face North Western Oklahoma State on Tuesday (Mar. 12) in Alva, Okla. before heading to Waxahachie to take on the Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) Lions in a three-game series over the weekend (Mar. 15/16).
