Aggies even series with 9-4 win over DBU

A&M right fielder Brian Ruggiano and first baseman Luke Anders combined for three home runs and seven RBI to lead the fifth-ranked Aggies over Dallas Baptist, 9-4, evening the series at one game apiece. Aggie Websider's Dallas Shipp has a full photo gallery and reaction from Friday night's game at Olsen Field.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas--After dropping game one of the series on Friday night, and falling behind 2-0 against Dallas Baptist heading into the bottom of the second inning Friday night, the fifth-ranked Texas A&M baseball team needed a spark.

The Aggies got what they were looking for with a leadoff home run by Luke Anders, followed by a two-run homer from Brian Ruggiano just two hitters later and the Aggies never looked back, evening the up the series at a game apiece with a 9-4 win over the Patriots in game two of the three game series in front nearly 4,000 fans at Olsen Field.

"That was huge," said A&M head coach when asked about the Aggies' three-run second inning. "Brian Ruggiano had a great night offensively and we had some gritty at-bats tonight against a guy that has some outstanding stuff. It was important for us to come back and answer the bell after last night’s performance.”

Ruggiano and Anders combined for three home runs and seven RBI for the night.

Ruggiano added another three-run blast an inning later, giving Ruggiano his first multi-homer game of his career and giving the Aggies a 7-2 lead, which is all A&M starter Brooks Raley and the Aggie bullpen would need.

Raley went 6.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out eight Dallas Baptist hitters.

Thebeau came in for another 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits while striking out five, lowering his season ERA to 1.61.

"I was really proud of the way we pitched tonight," Childress said. "I thought Brooks Raley and Kyle Thebeau were outstanding."

The Aggies and Patriots will wrap up the weekend series on Saturday at Olsen Field with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.


CLICK HERE to view Dallas Shipp's photo gallery from Friday night's game at Olsen Field.


Listen to Audio of Rob Childress after Friday night's win.

Listen to Audio of Brian Ruggiano, after batting in a career-high five RBI in his first multi-home run game of his career

Listen to Audio of freshman pitcher Brooks Raley after picking up his sixth win of the year.