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Pineda, Aggies Complete Sweep of UIC with 7-0 Win
COLLEGE
STATION, Texas – Sophomore pitcher Rafael Pineda took a no-hitter into
the eighth inning during his first career start Sunday as the No. 5
Texas A&M baseball team completed the season-opening series sweep
of Illinois-Chicago with a 7-0 victory on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
The
tall Aggie right-hander, who did not pitch during his first two
years in Aggieland but enjoyed a breakout season over the summer while
playing in the Texas Collegiate League, made his first trip to the
mound in an A&M uniform and turned in a sensational debut. Through
seven complete innings, the Flames still had a zero in the hit column
and only one baserunner to show for their efforts
“Pineda
pitched incredibly,” Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress said. “He
got us into the eighth without giving up a hit, pounded the strike zone
and had early contact. You talk about three years of grinding through
injury and getting into college pitching … we hoped to get five innings
out of him and let him get some work, but he wouldn’t let us take him
out. We’re very proud of the way he came out and competed today.”
Pineda’s
no-hit bid ended during the first at bat of the eighth inning as UIC
right fielder Jon Ryan doubled to left center. Pineda, a product of
Fort Worth’s Crowley High School, exited following the base knock to a
rousing ovation from the 4,224 fans in attendance, finishing his day
with seven innings pitched, just the one hit allowed, no walks and
three strikeouts.
"Honestly, I was more nervous
last night,” Pineda said when asked about his nerves on the mound. “I
couldn't sleep. I was getting adrenaline rushes, but our coaches really
calmed me down. Michael Wacha and Ross Stripling really helped me out
on the mental side and I was able to come out and be really confident
before it started."
The Aggie defense was
impressive behind the young starter as diving catches and grabs
reaching over rails near the stands became a theme for the afternoon.
"That's
a big part of what happened today,” Pineda said of the solid defense
played behind him. “Scott Arthur made a diving catch, Brandon Wood
jumped over the wall, giving up their bodies … so did Matt Juengel. We
just played carefree baseball today and gave up our bodies up for the
team. It was great."
Offensively, the Aggies
jumped out to an early lead by scoring in the first inning for the
third straight game to start the season. Following a walk by leadoff
batter Mikey Reynolds and a double from right fielder Tyler Naquin, the
stage was set for Juengel to make the game’s first impression on the
scoreboard. The senior third baseman, who ended the contest 2-for-3
with three runs scored, connected on the first pitch he saw from UIC
starter Matt Healip (0-1) and drove the offering down into the left
field corner for a two-run double.
Later in the
inning, Wood was able to bring home Juengel with a single to left that
gave the Aggies a 3-0 advantage. Wood added a sacrifice fly in the
bottom of the third as did freshman catcher Cole Lankford to extend the
Aggie lead to 5-0.
Lankford plated another run
during the bottom of the seventh, a frame that also featured the first
RBI from fellow rookie Daniel Mengden. The hybrid catcher/pitcher from
Houston brought home the score with a single up the middle before
making his Aggie debut on the mound in the top of the ninth, when he
worked a scoreless frame to seal the A&M victory.
“The
young guys were more comfortable today than they were on Friday,”
Childress added. “I think we played about as well as we could play for
an opening weekend. I was very proud of the way we’ve played for the
last three days.”
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