The Texas
A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team put the final touches on its
fall practice slate over the weekend with second annual Blue-Grey
Classic at Chapman Field. The Blue team came out victorious in all
three games with each game decided by no more than two runs.
In the opening game, the Blue
rallied from a 3-0 deficit to knock off the Grey 7-5. Blue starter
Andrew Toppert gave up three runs in the top of the first but then
settled in and did not allow another run over his final five
innings of work. In six innings, he pitched six innings and gave up
three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Brett
Gibson got the last five outs for the save.
At the plate, the blue team
was paced by sophomore outfielder Jacob Perales. Perales was
3-for-4 with four RBI. Shortstop Brycen Bell also had two hits for
the blue team. For the Grey southpaw Roy Ferdin took the loss. He
threw 6 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits while striking
out six. Jacob Perez led the offense for the Grey going 2-for-4
with a home run and four RBI as he transitions from the mound ot
the outfield.
In game two, the Grey
suffered a heartbreaking loss as they tried to bounce back from the
opening game loss.
Grey jumped out to a 5-3 lead
after five innings but they could not hold off the Blue in extra
innings. The Blue team tied the game with single runs in the top of
the 8th and 9th before scoring a run in the tenth to take a 2-0
lead in the series.
Gibson again pitched the last
5 outs of the game for the win. Andrew Longoria had a great outing
pitching 3.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, while striking
out five and issuing no walks. Senior Justin Greiner and freshman
Matt Rocha each had two hits to lead the Blue.
Brett Carnline received a no
decision even though he had an strong outing for the Grey. The
junior pitched six innings while holding the Blue to three runs on
three hits. He struck out six and did not walk any batters. The
Grey bats were led by freshman Chris Famiglietti. The rookie was
2-for-4 with a double while reaching base 4 times.
Like the opener, game three
was another 6-5 win for the Blue team as
Bell hit a 2-run double that finished off the Grey team in the
bottom of the 9th inning. Senior Stephen Flora had three hits for
the Blue. The Blue bullpen was the highlight of the day - Jesse
Maldonado and Jacob Liedka combined to throw 4.1 of one-hit relief
with no runs and two Ks.
The Blue team got a solid
start from sophomore Trey Hernandez who pitched 6 innings. He
allowed three runs on five hits and struckout eight.
"It was great to see the
three games be so competitive," said Islander head coach Scott
Malone. "It was exciting to see the games decided by a total of
four runs over the weekend. We had a great turn out from our fans
and the were treated to some great fall baseball."
The team will now turn set
its sights to strength and conditioning running five days a week
and lifting weights with strength and conditioning coach Jeff
Paluseo four times a week. Fall workouts will come to an end on
Dec. 3 and the players will prepare for the finals. The 2009 season
will begin on Feb. 20 with a four-game series at the University of
New Mexico. The Lobos play their home games at Isotope Park the AAA
home of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
