photo courtesy of AggieAthletics.com

Ft. Worth -- Scott Migl took the hill in a match-up of former SWC foes, as the No. 5 Aggies (38-7) visited the Horned Frogs of TCU (29-16). The Aggies entered the game winning 20 of their last 21 games, including five straight 3-game sweeps against Big XII opponents.

TCU has a pretty scrappy squad, that I would not want to play in a regional <--- watch out Rice/OSU, they will probably be in on of our brackets.

Tonight's game was a pitchers duel, which is slightly unusual for a mid-week game, in which teams start their 4th starter or even a reliever (See last week's Texas State game).

However, tonight Migl had good control and mowed through the TCU line-up. The only hiccup for the Aggies happened in the 5th when TCU scored both of its runs. The first on a misplayed ball by Kyle Colligan.

The Aggies plated Dane Carter on a triple by Jose Duran, Fort Worth native and brother of German Duran (Texas Rangers), in the top of the third. A sacrifice fly in the 5th gave the Aggies their second run of the game.

The Aggie bullpen was "lights out" tonight, Kyle Thebeau and Hank Robertson completely shut down the Frogs over the final four innings.

Andrew Cashner, aka Cash, the closer for the Frogs had electric stuff. His fastball topped out at 98mph and he had a wicked slider that buckled several Aggies coming in at about 85mph. I really liked this Cash kid, lets just say he will be "money in the bank" at the next level. <---lame.

As good as Cashner was on the night, the Aggies were able to scratch one out in the top of the ninth...without getting a hit. Brodie Greene walked and moved up to second after Colligan was pegged in the helmet. The runners moved up on a passed ball, putting men on second and third. Just like the Aggies seemingly have done all year, they found a way to put one across when they neeeded it. However, this time it wasnt so much what we did, as it was the WILD PITCH by Cashner. Greene scored on the wild pitch and gave the Aggies the lead for good.

In the bottom of the ninth, TCU got a man on first with 2 outs. Matt Vern crushed a ball to left-center that brought everyone to their feet. TCU's team was already coming out of the dugout to celebrate the walk-off, but the wind just held the ball in play, preserving the Aggies non-conference victory.

The Aggies head into this weekend's series against Dallas Baptist with incredible momentum. I would love to see the Ags not have to squeeze so many out late like this, but I'll take them anyway I can get them.

gig 'em

Game Notes:

In the eighth inning, a little girl was struck behind her ear by a screaming line-drive foul ball. The girl was taken to a Ft. Worth hospital for some tests. Reports indicate that the little girl is doing well and is in good spirits. Nonetheless, anytime a child is taken from a baseball game in a stretcher, it is not a good situation. From all of us here at 12MC our prayers are with that little girl tonight.

The game was the first meeting of the two teams in Fort Worth since 1996 and the largest crowd ever (4,294) at TCU's Lupton Stadium, breaking the former record by over 1,000 fans. Maroon-clad fans littered their little sandlot field (actually a very nice stadium).

A&M has played TCU (247) more than any other school except Texas (346), Baylor (301) and Rice (266).