Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Texas A&M
Cowboys Defeat Texas A&M in Series Opener
April 20, 2001 | Cowboy Baseball
April 20, 2001
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Oklahoma State's baseball team scored five runs in the first three innings and pounded out 12 hits overall as they defeated Texas A&M 7-3 in tonight's game at Olsen Field.
Oklahoma State (31-12, 11-8 Big 12) took an early lead as Rob Watson led off the game with a single and second baseman Nebasett Brown doubled off the right field wall. The Cowboys got on the scoreboard as Watson scored on Luke Scott's RBI ground out to the second baseman.
In the second inning, Jose Virgil led off with a single and Jimbo McAuliff hit a double to center. Ali Modami's chopper to the first baseman scored Virgil, and the Cowboys took a 4-0 lead as Watson hit a two-run dinger to left.
Jake Bollig reached base on a walk by Aggie reliever Steven Ponder in the third inning, advanced on Virgil's fielder's choice, and scored on a McAuliff single to center.
Texas A&M (24-19, 9-10 Big 12) got on the board in the fourth inning as second baseman Ty Garner singled and scored on first baseman Travis Wong's single to third base.
The Aggies got two more runs in the seventh inning on a walk and a pair of singles, bringing the score to 5-2.
The Cowboys added two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a pair of infield errors by the Aggies. Paul Powell led off the inning with a triple to right center. Virgil reached base on an error, plating Powell, and scored on Brian Kraft's single.
Offensively, Oklahoma State was led by Brown, who was 3-for-5 with a double. Watson was 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs.
Southpaw Josh Merrigan picked up the win for the Cowboys, improving his record to 6-4 on the season. He struck out six Aggie batters and allowed three runs in 6.1 innings of mound work.
Justin Moore got the loss for Texas A&M, giving up four runs and seven hits in 2.0 innings on the mound.
The Cowboys and the Aggies will take the field for the second game of the series tomorrow at 3 p.m. Originally scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch, the game was moved due to television coverage. The contest will be televised regionally by Fox Sports Southwest.
Oklahoma State 131 000 200 7 12 0 Texas A&M 000 100 200 3 9 3 Merrigan, McCurdy (7), and Watson. Moore, Ponder (3), and Gremminger. Win-Merrigan (6-4). Loss-Moore (5-2). HR: OSU-Watson (6). 3B: OSU-Powell (1). 2B: OSU- Brown (10), McAuliff (7). Time: 2:48. Attendance: 4,926.
