Aggies Secure Series Victory in Fort Worth

By: Chris Schraer, Ast. SID

Baseball | 3/18/2022 5:51:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 FORT WORTH, Texas - The Oklahoma Panhandle State baseball team had their second conference series of the year in Texas against the Texas Wesleyan Rams.

The series opener came down to the wire for the Aggies, but they would shut down the late push from the Rams to pull out the win. A windy afternoon in Fort Worth allowed the Aggies to make good use of extra-base hits to bring around eight RBIs in the game. Accompanied by strong performances from the Aggie pitchers.

Game two of the day would be another nail-biter for the Aggies. By chasing pitchers out of the game early and good two-out hitting, the Aggies pulled out the win and secured the series win 8-7.

After securing their first conference series win in nearly a year, Head Coach Shawn Joy sees the Aggies coming together at just the right time. "We played really well today. Anytime you get the first two games of a series on the road is huge. Proud of our guys."

Game 1

For their second conference series of the year, the Aggies headed down to Texas to take on Texas Wesleyan University. The Aggies hold a lifetime two and ten record against the Rams only dating back to 2018. Despite a lackluster history, the Aggies came out to show what they got.

Senior RHP Austin Jacobs (4-2) would get the start and the win for the Aggies and Zeke Dougan would notch his first save of the season. Due to the conditions, the Rams would make use of the long ball against Jacobs early. With the Rams going up early three to one after an error and home run. However, Jacobs would settle in after his offense would go on to score five unanswered before his departure.

Dougan would make his way to the mound in the bottom of the seventh as the Aggies led eight to five. Making quick work of his first batter faced before the heart of the Rams offense would come to the plate. The three and four-hole hitters would launch back-to-back home runs for the Rams to bring themselves within one of the Aggies. Dougan was unwilling to let the game slip away. Striking out the next batter for the second out of the inning followed by a quick ground out to give the Aggies the win.

Looking to rebound from their last conference series the Aggie hitters wanted to show more patience at the plate and use the entire field. After getting out to a slow start in the first time through the order the Aggie hitters would figure it out in the top of the third. Scoring two runs off a two-run double from Luis Dermas to give the Aggies the lead. The Rams would answer those with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Undeterred by the Rams push the Aggies would bounce back with six runs of their own in the fourth and fifth innings to reclaim the lead. Working around errors and extra-base hits the Aggies would hold off the Rams to win the game.

Zack Madrigal (3), Luis Dermas (2), and Dylan Hughes (2) would all have multi-hit games for the Aggies. The newly acquired approach for the Aggies showed as they would walk six times and strikeout only five times against the Rams.

Game 2

The Aggies positioned themselves to win their first conference series since April 17th of their 2021 season. Similar to game one of the series, game two came down to the wire. The Aggies made do with great situational hitting and a nearly perfect bullpen effort to win game two of the series.

LHP Colton Anderson (3-2) earned the start and win for the Aggies. Anderson would work through the first three innings of the contest relatively unscathed as the Aggies maintained a six to nothing lead. The Rams would bounce back their second and third times through the order to score four runs. Anderson would be chased after completing five innings of work. Striking out four Rams while allowing four earned runs.

Braeden LeJarraga would be the first and last out of the pen for the Aggies. Riding his momentum from his last two appearances. LeJarraga shut down the Rams' offense going into the last two innings of the game. Allowing only a single run in his two innings of work.

The Aggies would make use of extra base hits in game two, flipping the script on the Rams. Four of the nine Aggie hits would go for extra base hits. Once again the Aggies would get on the board first. Doing so in the top of the second off an RBI triple from right fielder Payton Brown. After a brief break the Aggies would find the board again in the fourth as Luis Dermas, Ethan Hunt, and Jonathan Applebury combined for five RBIs. Giving the Aggies a six to two lead.

The Rams would once again attempt a late game push for the win. Scoring two in the fifth to come within two of the Aggies. Shortstop Manrique Mora would answer with two RBIs of his own with a single in the top half of the next inning. However, the Rams would not go down without a fight by scratching three in the bottom of the sixth. With a one run lead the Aggies would hold the Rams off as LeJarraga sat down three straight Rams in the bottom of the seventh.

Panhandle State baseball looks to complete the sweep of the Texas Wesleyan Rams tomorrow, March 19th at 1 PM

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#20 Zack Madrigal: C/OF; 5' 9"; Senior; R/R

#29 Braeden LeJarraga: Sophomore

#33 Austin Jacobs: Senior

#7 Luis Dermas: Senior

#22 Jonathan Applebury: Senior

#6 Payton Brown: Junior

#27 Ethan Hunt: Senior

#24 Zeke Dougan: Senior

#2 Colton Anderson: Sophomore

#23 Manrique Mora: Junior

Players Mentioned

#20 Zack Madrigal
: 5' 9"; Senior; R/R
: C/OF

#29 Braeden LeJarraga
: Sophomore

#33 Austin Jacobs
: Senior

#7 Luis Dermas
: Senior

#22 Jonathan Applebury
: Senior

#6 Payton Brown
: Junior

#27 Ethan Hunt
: Senior

#24 Zeke Dougan
: Senior

#2 Colton Anderson
: Sophomore

#23 Manrique Mora
: Junior