COLLEGE STATION, TX- Oregon struck first in the first inning, but the Aggies offense came to life en route to a 10-6 victory in game one of the Bryan-College Station Super Regional.
“When you don’t play up to the level that you know you can play up to and traditionally play up to, it’s disappointing,” said head coach Mark Wasikowski. “We got off to a good start but yet didn’t play a complete game today whatsoever. Disappointed we couldn’t give a better game to the fans that were here at the ballpark. Even though it was fairly close, we didn’t play a clean baseball game, and I think we have a better game in us, for sure.”
Oregon jumped on Texas A&M starting pitcher Ryan Prager early.
Anson Aroz hit a two-run homerun to give the Ducks an early 2-0 lead before the Aggies had a chance to pick up a bat.
When they did, the Aggies offense responded. TAMU scored three runs thanks in part to five straight hits.
Oregon starter RJ Gordon pitched 42 pitches in the first inning.
The Ducks responded with four runs in the second inning to take a 6-3 lead. Mason Neville hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to tie the game. Aroz came up and singled through the left side for his third RBI of the game.
Gordon pitched 3.1 innings before Ryan Featherston came in relief.
“You earn trust and you stick with guys when they earn trust,” said Wasikowski. “And he’s definitely earned plenty of trust. I think I would have probably been knocked out by some of the players in the dugout had I taken RJ out before it was time.”
The Ducks and Aggies will play game two of the series on Sunday.
“I wasn’t ashamed at all of the effort the guys that I get to suit up with,” said Wasikowski. “I just know what I’d like to see them do is throw even a B or am A game that they’re used to playing so the people of Texas know what it’s like when Oregon shows up and plays an A game. That’d be a lot of fun and hopefully we can do that tomorrow.”
First pitch is set for 4:30 PM.