COLLEGE STATION, TX -- The sixth-ranked Texas A&M baseball team extended its winning streak to four games Tuesday night as the Aggies defeated Texas State 5-1 during their regular season home finale on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
“I’m really proud of our team,” Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress said. “This was a game that would’ve been really easy for us to show up and just go through the motions. I thought we played really well, maybe better than we played all weekend.
Texas A&M (38-14) took control of the contest early by plating three runs against Bobcat starter Taylor Black (2-3) in the bottom of the second.
Freshman catcher Cole Lankford got the scoring started as he followed a double by Brandon Wood with an RBI single to center.
All-American right fielder Tyler Naquin came through at the plate later in the frame with a two-run single to give the Aggies a 3-0 advantage.
Rookie Daniel Mengden (2-3) continued his hot streak on the mound as he picked up the win by scattering seven hits and just one run while striking out five and walking none during seven innings of work.
It marked the third straight quality start for Mengden, who made his debut as a starting pitcher for the Aggies on April 24 at TCU.
“He’s had three great performances in a row,” Childress said of Mendgen. “I couldn’t feel any better about him than I do right now. Heading into the postseason, I feel we have a solid number four starter and there are not many teams that can say that right now.”
Sophomore catcher Troy Stein made it 4-0 Aggies during the bottom of the fifth when he connected on his second home run of the season, a solo shot over the wall in left field.
After the Bobcats (29-21) scored their lone run of the night during the top of the seventh, Lankford added an insurance run for the Aggies in the bottom half of the inning by scoring Stein with a run-scoring base hit to center.
“It feels great,” Lankford said. “I’m just doing whatever I can to help the team. We all have certain roles and we all do our job. It’s not about one individual, it’s about the team. Everyone bought into it and we’re going to get it rolling right now.”
Freshman Blake Allemand made his third straight start at shortstop during the contest and tied his career high with three hits during a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.
Relievers Estevan Uriegas and Jason Freeman combined to pitch a scoreless eighth inning before Kyle Martin recorded the final three outs of the contest.
The Aggies are back in action this weekend when they travel to Stillwater, Okla., to face Oklahoma State in a three-game series at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium.
