SAN ANGELO, Texas (April 22, 2012) — The Aggies struggled to score Sunday, picking up 10 hits, but only scoring four runs in a 6-4 loss to No. 18 Angelo State.
The loss drops Cameron’s record to 21-24; but more importantly, drops its record to 10-14, one game out of the final playoff spot with one series remaining.
Mike Carlson (0-4) took the mound for the Aggies, throwing 5.1 strong innings in the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits, before giving way to Cody Hudson (2-1). Hudson allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit. The defense behind both pitchers was shaky, as the Aggies walked away with three errors in the game.
“Our defense has to play better,” said Head Coach Todd Holland. “Our pitching wasn’t great, but when you make good pitches, you expect your defense to make plays behind you.”
Lyons continued his hot streak, leading off the game with a single to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He would come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Nick Smith to make the score 1-0.
Angelo State (31-14, 15-8) responded in the home half, hanging two on the board with a big two-out single to take the 2-1 lead going into the second. ASU added two more runs in the second and third inning to take a 4-2 lead.
Both pitchers settled down until the seventh inning. Thomas Galvin led off the inning for CU with a single, followed by a double by Lyons to put runners at second and third with no outs. Consecutive ground outs by Josh Dawson and Smith would score Galvin and Lyons, but the Aggies failed to rally on the big start to the inning.
The Rams added two more to extend their lead to 6-3, picking up a big two-out double off Hudson.
Andy Garcia added an RBI single in the ninth inning to make it 6-4, but that was all the damage Cameron was able to do, as the Rams walked away with the game and the series, 3-1.
“We started this series in the right way, with a victory,” Holland said. “We really could have used a win today to split. That would have created a tie for the final spot. We have to take care of business next weekend.”
The Aggies will host Tarleton State (20-19, 11-12) next weekend, with the opportunity to win the series and earn a spot in the conference playoffs. The weekend series will begin with a single game Friday at 3 p.m. at McCord Field.
For more information on the baseball team, visit www.cameronaggies.com.
