The path to a win wasn’t always perfect this weekend, but the end results were, as Texas A&M swept the Penn Quakers in a weekend series to get to 7-0 on the young season. While the pitching staff combined to surrender just three runs on the weekend, the first two games were drama-filled, with the Aggies needing a walk-off line drive in the bottom of the 9th on Friday night and then a game-tying double in the bottom of the 9th on Saturday to ultimately get a walk-off walk in the bottom of the 11th.
It’s worth noting that A&M was without 2B Chris Hacopian, one of their best hitters, all series as he battles back stiffness, and was without stud outfielder Caden Sorrell on Saturday and Sunday after he had his hand stepped on while sliding and required stitches.
GAME 1: A&M 1, Penn 0
No. 24 Texas A&M walked off Penn in the bottom of the ninth inning to claim the series opener, 1-0, Friday night from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
Following a Bear Harrison walk and Travis Chestnut sacrifice bunt, Boston Kellner drove a double to deep center field to bring home the lone run and cap the victory for the Aggies (5-0).
Shane Sdao matched a career high 7.0 shutout innings to keep the score knotted at zero. The lefty allowed just three hits and struck out a career-best seven hitters. Ethan Darden inherited a runner on first base in the eighth inning but escaped the jam with two strikeouts and a successful pick-off attempt at first base.
Josh Stewart (1-0) earned the win after tossing a scoreless ninth inning. The team’s 12th Man entered the top half of the frame with a runner on first and nabbed a strikeout and a pair of groundouts to send the Maroon & White to the bottom of the ninth with the score still even.
The Aggie pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed just four hits while not issuing a single walk. At the dish, Texas A&M registered seven hits and drew five free passes.
GAME 2: A&M 2, Penn 1
No. 24 Texas A&M claimed its second consecutive walk-off victory over Penn, 2-1, in 11 innings to secure the series Saturday afternoon from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
After trailing by a run since the third inning, the Maroon & White got a runner on base in the bottom of the ninth with a Terrence Kiel II walk. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, and on a full count with two outs, Sawyer Farr drilled a double near the right field line to plate the run and push the contest to extra innings.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, Kiel and Nico Partida reached base with consecutive singles. Travis Chestnut followed with a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. The winning run scored on a walk from Farr to secure the win and the series for the Aggies.
Weston Moss worked a quality start, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing just one unearned run on five hits. The Spring, Texas, native matched his career high with eight punchouts. Juan Vargas was effective in relief, dealing 3.0 shutout innings with one strikeout. Clayton Freshcorn (1-0) earned the win after pitching clean 10th and 11th innings. The righty did not allow a baserunner and struck out two batters.
GAME 3: A&M 7, Penn 1
No. 24 Texas A&M secured the series sweep over Penn, 7-1, behind a dominant start from Aiden Sims Sunday afternoon from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
Sims (2-0) faced the minimum through five innings to keep the Quakers (0-3) silent at the plate. The Forney, Texas, native concluded his outing with a career-high 7.0 innings pitched, allowing one run on just three hits. The righty topped his career-best strikeout total, fanning 10 batters.
Josh Stewart put a cap on the contest, tossing the final two frames. He allowed one hit and struck out one.
Nico Partida led the Aggies (7-0) offensively, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. The Pearland, Texas, native drilled his third home run of the season in the bottom of the third inning to put the Maroon & White ahead, 4-1. Both Jake Duer and Gavin Grahovac recorded multi-hit performances and drove in a run with a double.
No matter the path, a sweep is a sweep and this team looks to keep stacking non-conference wins. They’ll continue that with a midweek game against Lamar and then a trip to Globe Life Field in Arlington next weekend, were they’ll face their first real tests of the season against Virginia Tech, UCLA and Arizona State.
