LAWTON, Okla. (March 25, 2012) — The Aggie baseball team completed its weekend sweep of Eastern New Mexico Sunday, picking up a pair of victories, 9-0 and 5-4. The victories improve Cameron’s conference record to 4-4, and its overall record to 16-14.
James Rhodes took the mound in game and pitched a complete game, allowing four hits through seven innings to pick up his third victory of the season. Cody Hudson picked up his second victory of the season in game two, throwing four innings of shutout relief work after five strong innings by Jordan Watson.
“Rhodes pitched a great game for us today,” said Head Coach Todd Holland. “Cody Hudson did an outstanding job in relief as well. We pitched well all around today.”
Cameron got off to a fast start in game one, scoring one run in the second and three in the third inning. Kevin Waukau and Tyler Cox each picked up RBIs in the third inning, with Andy Garcia scoring the final run on a wild pitch. Waukau finished the game 3-3 with three doubles, three RBI and three runs.
The Black and Gold followed another one run inning in the fifth by breaking out for four runs in the sixth inning. Waukau again had the big hit in the inning, picking up his third double by blasting a shot off the fence in right center, scoring Andy Garcia and Brad Blumer.
Rhodes completed the game in the seventh inning, retiring ENMU (9-16, 0-8) with a ground out back to the mound.
“Rhodes threw well and we responded by producing runs,” Holland said. “It felt like we were able to control the game throughout.”
Game two came down to the bottom of the 9th inning, as the Aggies approached their final three outs trailing 4-2. Andy Garcia led off the inning with a single to right field, followed by a tricky shot by Waukau to the shortstop, allowing both he and the base runner to reach on the error. Nick Smith laid down a perfect bunt between the third baseman and the pitcher to reach base on an infield hit to load the bases.
Cox stepped up next and roped a single to centerfield, scoring Waukau and Andy Garcia to tie the game at four. BenShell Garcia followed Cox with a single to right field to put the game-winning run on second base. After a Kevin Lum pop out to the shortstop, Taylor Lyons drew a walk to load the bases and set the plate for Josh Dawson. The preseason All-American delivered with a game-winning single, scoring Cox and sealing the 5-4 victory. The walk-off was Cameron’s third out of the four game sweep.
“It’s always good to play at home,” Holland said. “It seems like the last at-bats always win games. We just lost two like that in Canyon (West Texas). I am happy about our four wins, but we could have done more.”
For more information on the Cameron baseball team, visit www.cameronaggies.com.
