Building Champions
 Farmers Take Game One of Fall World Series

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Oct. 27, 2009

Final Stats

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Nick Fleece threw six strong innings and junior second baseman Andrew Collazo drove in the game-winning run in the seventh to lead the Farmers to a 4-2 win over the Plowboys in the first game of the Texas A&M baseball Fall World Series on Tuesday afternoon at Olsen Field.

With the score tied at two entering the last of the seventh, Farmers junior catcher Gregg Alcazar (Galveston) led off with a single to left and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Fleece. Collazo (Paterson, N.J.) then shot a ground ball back through the box and into center field, scoring Alcazar with the eventual game-winner and moving to second on the throw home. Sophomore third baseman Matt Juengel (Houston) followed with a two-out single to center that extended the lead to 4-2.

The Plowboys would threaten in the ninth off Farmers closer Joaquin Hinojosa (McAllen), rallying with two outs and putting the tying run in scoring position, but Hinojosa would strike out the final batter swinging to lock down the save.

Despite not picking up the victory, Fleece allowed five hits and two unearned runs over six strong innings of work, walking two and striking out three. The junior stranded eight Plowboys on the basepaths, five at either second or third, and held the opposition to just one hit in nine tries with runners in scoring position.

The Farmers took the early lead with a pair of second-inning runs. After loading the bases to start the frame on a walk, hit batsmen and a bunt single on the left side, the Farmers went up 1-0 on a fielder's choice ground ball to short off the bat of junior catcher Gregg Alcazar (Galveston). Pitcher Nick Fleece (Fort Worth) then lined a sacrifice fly to center field to plate sophomore shortstop Adam Smith (Spring) and make the score 2-0.

The Plowboys responded in the fourth with a pair of unearned runs to tie the game. Junior catcher Kevin Gonzalez (Katy) led off the frame by reaching on an error and moved to third on a single through the right side by junior third baseman Kenny Jackson (Corpus Christi). Sophomore shortstop Scott Arthur (Spring) then laced a base hit to left to score Gonzalez with the Plowboys' first run of the afternoon. Following a sacrifice bunt, senior left fielder Dylan Petrich (Wichita, Kan.) grounded out to short to score Jackson and tie the game at two.

 

 

An error and one-out walk had the Plowboys looking to take the lead in the top of the sixth, but Alcazar threw out Arthur at third base on the front end of a double-steal attempt. Fleece then froze the ensuing batter looking on a 2-2 curveball to end the threat and the inning. The Plowboys stranded 13 on the afternoon.

The Farmers pounded out 10 hits, including two each from Juengel, Hinojosa and Smith. Junior Caleb Shofner (Hewitt) led the Plowboys with a 2-for-3 effort.

Sophomore Estevan Uriegas (Round Rock) picked up the win for the Farmers in relief with a scoreless seventh. Sophomore Denny Clement (Tulsa) blanked the Plowboys in the eighth to earn a hold. Hinojosa allowed a hit and plunked a batter in the ninth while striking out the side.

Sophomore John Stilson (Texarkana) took the loss for the Plowboys, allowing nine hits, four runs and two walks over seven innings while striking out two. He was also 1-for-3 at the plate with his team's only extra-base hit, a second-inning triple.

The series continues on Wednesday with first pitch set for 3 p.m. Sophomore Ross Stripling will start for the Farmers, while the Plowboys will counter with senior Clayton Ehlert. Admission is free and fans are encouraged to attend.

FALL WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE: Game 1: Farmers 4, Plowboys 2 (Farmers lead, 1-0) Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m. Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 29, 3 p.m. Game 4: Friday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m.

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