COLLEGE STATION, TX — In a matchup of the two Southeastern Conference Eastern Division leaders, the No. 2 Texas A&M Aggies were able to wear down the Missouri pitchers. The Tigers lost the first game of its three-game series, 7-4.
In the top of the first, Texas A&M junior pitcher Grayson Long made quick work of the Mizzou offense, sending them down in order. Reigning SEC Pitcher of the Week, junior pitcher Reggie McClain, retired the first two Aggies before a single and a past ball advanced the runner to second. McClain recorded his second strikeout to retire the side.
With one out, the Mizzou offense got going with sophomore shortstop Ryan Howard knocking a base hit to the right, but he was caught stealing. Junior first baseman Zach Lavy walked and stole second, but Missouri was retired on a full count strikeout. McClain worked around a walk in the bottom half of the inning to keep the score tied at zero.
In the top of the third, the Tigers got their first runner in scoring position after an error by the shortstop allowed senior rightfielder Case Munson to reach and senior second baseman Brett Peel was hit by a pitch. A walk to sophomore centerfielder Jake Ring loaded the bases for freshman leftfielder Trey Harris, who struck out. Junior third baseman Josh Lester flew out to left to end the inning. McClain made quick work of the A&M offense, sending them down in order in the bottom of the third.
Missouri had another baserunner after a two-out base hit by freshman catcher Brett Bond, but nothing came to fruition. With one out, Texas A&M sophomore rightfielder Nick Banks doubled off of the leftfield wall. He came around to score on a base hit up the middle by junior left fielder Logan Taylor. A base hit past a diving Lester put runners on first and second. McClain picked the lead runner off of second and recorded his fourth strikeout of the night to end the inning.
Mizzou was sent down in order in the top of the fifth by two strikeouts and a flyout to right field. A&M led off with an infield single to the pitcher after Lavy bobbled the throw at first base. McClain hit the next Aggie batter. Senior shortstop Blake Allemand successfully sacrificed to put runners on second and third. McClain hit sophomore second baseman Ryne Birk, his second hit batter of the inning to load the bases. A base hit through the right side scored two runners, but Missouri was lucky when Birk attempted to take third and was caught. McClain recorded his fifth strikeout of the night to end the fifth at 3-0.
Mizzou got off to a good start in the sixth with base hits by Harris and Lester. Another hit by Howard loaded the bases. Texas A&M got junior Ty Schlottmann out of the bullpen in relief of Long. A base hit by Lavy scored a run and kept the bases loaded. Another base hit by Bond plated another run and bought junior Andrew Vinson to the mound for the Aggies. A double play for the Aggies allowed a run to score and tie the ballgame. A strikeout of senior pinch hitter Logan Pearson ended the half inning with the score tied at 3.
After a leadoff flyout, sophomore third baseman Ronnie Gideon lined a double to left and a base hit brought him home for the point. After a wild pitch by McClain, another base hit scored a run for the Aggies. Mizzou went to the bullpen to get junior Austin Tribby. A flyout to left field and a groundout ended the inning.
The Tigers threatened in the seventh, but were unable to score a runner from second with one out. The Aggies went down in order in the bottom half of the inning.
Mizzou could not do anything with a two-out hit by Bond in the top of the eighth. Taylor reached on a leadoff walk for the Aggies. Sophomore Nick Choruby pinch ran for A&M and stole second on a pickoff throw. Junior first baseman Hunter Melton hit a ground rule double to score Choruby. Mizzou then turned to freshman reliever Lake Dabney. Lester made a nice play on a sharp grounder to third, but he threw it away, advancing the runners to second and third. A sacrifice fly scored another run, making it 7-3 before the last out was recorded.
Mizzou was able to push across a run in the top of the ninth after a walk, a fielder’s choice and an RBI double by Taylor made the game 7-4.
Missouri and No. 2 Texas A&M play again Saturday at 1:05 p.m.