NM State Aggies vs Northern Colorado Bears Baseball 4-23-17

This is my fourth day in a row writing game recaps.  I may be a little unenthusiastic here.  Sunday started pretty cool with a cold, stiff breeze.  Thankfully, it warmed up and the wind died down pretty quickly after the game started.  Ron was with me for today’s game.  We entered the gate with university President Gary Caruthers in front of us.  He stuck around and took in most of the game, but didn’t go up for a radio interview.  Missing breakfast, I picked up a soda and popcorn at the concessions.  Then I picked up an Austin Botello card at the courtesy table.  Unfortunately, I left my tickets there.  Some nice person put them under a weight, and I found them there after a couple of frantic minutes of searching myself. 

Before the game started, Ron went back out to get a hot dog, which he must have inhaled, as he was back for the anthem.  The four-time conference winning Women’s Golf team threw out the first pitches, and then they shook hands with the team.  Given how major league players love golf and that the golf team seems pretty good looking, I’d think they might be fairly popular with the baseball team. 

Adam Young and Nolan Fox on the radio broadcast mentioned that this game was under a curfew, though that cutoff time was four and half hours away.  Both teams certainly played quickly anyway.  Andy Frakes started the game for the Aggies and immediately helped himself out, snagging a soft liner at him and recording a put out at first.  He had a five pitch first inning.  With the Bears up to bat, I have to mention how much I like their helmets.  They’re a shiny, sparkling blue, none of that dull, flat matte finish crap that major league teams are using these days.

The bottom of the inning brought in a few more spectators to an already decent crowd (attendance 557, or something close to that).  A small murder of crows camped out in centerfield briefly.  They didn’t cause any problems, but did later scatter when a hit rolled by.  Aggie hitting caused Bear starter, Aaron Hamilton, some issues though.  Eight men came up to bat and five of them scored.  The runners were also very aggressive on the basepads, including a double steal.  The big blow was a Mason Fishback three-run homer that put the Aggies up 5-0 after one.  That shot actually hit the scoreboard in left center and bounced back onto the field.

Frakes worked a fast top of the second by throwing strikes, only 14 pitches so far.  I’ll go ahead and make a quick summary of the next five innings of Aggie at bats: Fishback worked a walk in the fourth.  (He then got his first steal on a delayed steal no less.)  Don’t worry.  I’ll add some details.  Adam and Nolan talked about Brent Sakurai’s parents from Hawaii being in town.  They’re going to be around for a couple of weeks to see him play and travel to Tucson this week for another one of his games.  They’re even coming back next month for Senior Day.  That is showing some support for your kid and racking up the frequent flyer miles.  Of course, if you already live in Hawaii, where would you bother going with a free trip? 

In the third, a Bear runner got to second.  Frakes and Sakurai started exchanging complicated signs in between pitches.  I hope that was just an elaborate decoy and not for real.  Aggie hitting did not help themselves out.  In the bottom of the third, the home plate umpire made a late call on a borderline pitch as Tristan Carranza was already starting down the line for a presumed walk.  Carranza jogged backward to continue his at bat to amusement of the crowd, but probably not the umpire, who ended up ringing him up on the next pitch. 

The Bears manufactured a run in the fourth after a double, 5-1 Aggies, but the Aggie defense really helped out Frakes to limit the damage.  Brent made a great play running to his right and falling away to throw out a runner.  Marcus Still in center robbed a sure double, running and diving flat out to make a catch and end the inning.  How did he come up with that?  I hope somebody got video of that play.

Frakes gave way to Matt McHugh in the fifth.  A leadoff double would later score on a passed ball, 5-2 Aggies.  The most exciting play was a high popup that threatened to fall into the stands.  The girl who brought the freshly baked cinnamon rolls yesterday got up and ran away from the projected impact point.  I think I saw her with Carranza after the game.  He should teach her how to catch a fly ball.  Got to see the Infield Fly rule invoked in this inning, which was a good thing, since LJ Hatch dropped it on the transfer, or he was trying to deke out the runner at second.  Some interesting fan gear showed up.  A kid was wearing, I swear, a Fresno Tacos hat.  His dad had on a more conventional Chihuahuas hat.  In the bottom of the fifth, Brent struck out looking on a pitch that looked well outside.  Was the ump still mad?  Botello then struck looking on another questionable call to end the inning.  Yep, still mad. 

Top of the sixth, and it’s a banner day.  I finally get the Aggie trivia question.  I’d figured out, and I’m letting you in on this, that their questions are all based on information on that day’s program.  “When did Coach Brian Green graduate from NMSU?”  I waited for a few seconds to see if any kids were running to the pressbox, then I went.  As I opened my mouth to give the give answer to the stadium staff member, a lady at the end of the row shouted out the answer.  “He was here first ma’am.”  So I got the free What-a-Burger coupon.  On the way back to my seat, a guy asked me about my “Aggie Empire” Star Wars-inspired shirt.  It was from Aggie sponsor, Sports Accessories, of course, and would indeed be a great gift for a Star Wars fan and NMSU alumni.  But it wasn’t a complete trip to the pressbox.  I was hoping to get a peek at the female PA voice.

Kris Krosses’ “Jump” started off the seventh.  Well, I enjoyed it anyway.  In the bottom of the inning, the Aggies finally got something going on the bases and knocked Hamilton out of the game.  With the bases loaded, Botello was hit by a pitch by the new pitcher to force in a run, 6-1 Aggies.  And another late strike call on Dan Hetzel to bring him back from a walk. 

Well, there is some equity in the eight.  A delayed strike call brought back a Bear hitter.  But after a walk, McHugh gave way to Kyle Bradish.  Adam was surprised that the Aggies’ ace starter, who’d been given the weekend off was brought in, but I was not.  I’m sure Coach Green wanted to make sure that Bradish didn’t get rusty from being off too long.  For his first relief outing, he worked a seemingly effortless inning and 2/3 to end the game and get his first save.  Our final was Aggies 6, Bears 2.  We were done in a tidy two and half hours, and the Aggies won without getting nine hits for the first time this season.

With this sweep, the Aggies go to 11-1 in conference.  After the game, the Northern Colorado players lined to shake hands with the Aggies.  My stars of the game are Mason Fishback for his first inning three-run homer and all three Aggie pitchers.  Certainly, Marcus Still’s “Superman” catch in the fourth will make the end of year highlight reel, if not go viral.  Aaron Hamilton also gets a star.  He had a rough first inning, but really settled down impressively after that.  I should be happier with the win, and pizza and frozen custard for dinner, but conversation about my future at work put me a funk.  There’s also a dilemma for next Saturday as Aggie baseball and softball host GCU at conflicting times.  How to choose?  

NM State Aggies vs Northern Colorado Bears Baseball 4-22-17

I was flying solo today with Ron having a family lunch.  I was still happy to go on such a beautiful day in the high 80’s and a breeze to keep things cool.  The Aggies had nearly won last night by run rule, so I was excited to see if the streak would continue.  I think I was behind second baseman, Brent Sakurai’s, family in line for tickets.  I wonder if they brought any pineapples with them from Hawaii to be the team’s new mascot.

I picked up three player cards on the courtesy table inside.  Cool.  At the concessions trailer, I got a hot dog, corn in a cup, and $1 ice cream.  I had issues with the ballpark food at the Diablos game this week, but this hot dog’s bun went stale before I finished it.  The food just isn’t that great at Aggie events (except for the cinnamon roasted almonds, which aren’t available at every event).  The crowd was pretty good inside, but it was great when it came to enthusiasm.    

The girl announcer was back for this game.  It seemed like she turned down the flirting when introducing the players.  Maybe some players’ girlfriends said something.  She got through 2/3 of the visitor’s lineup before having to stop to introduce Bernie Olivas of the Sun Bowl selection committee, who threw out the first pitch.  She also welcomed a little league team to the game, who shouted “Play ball!” after the player introductions.  (There was also a “Go Cardinals!” shout.  I’m not sure what that was about.)  I appreciated that the stadium music volume was a little lower for this game (though the music kept getting cut off instead fading out).  Again, the Diablos game had music going all the time, but it never got overpowering.  That’s the way it should be.

There was no radio for the game, since it was an Aggievision TV game.  Given that my scorecard didn’t add up with the scoreboard at the end, I could have used Adam Young’s help as usual.  He probably interviewed Bernie during the game.  I wonder why he was not only at a baseball game, but at a rival university (as he’s affiliated with UTEP).  NM State Athletic Director Mario Moccia went up to the booth during the game.  Once again, he probably had to talk about losing another coach.  More on that in a moment. 

Jonathan Groff started off the game on the mound for the Aggies.  He was working pretty slow in the early innings, which turned out to be a good thing here.  After two previous chances [4-4-17 and 4-15-17], I finally got to congratulate somebody on the Women’s Basketball team on having a great season.  Brandee Walton, who had charmed the heck out of me when I got her autograph earlier this year, came to me.  She was working with the stadium staff for game and was going around handing out player baseball cards to the fans.  Unfortunately, this may not have been the greatest day to talk Aggie basketball with Brandee.  She seemed a bit down and have a lot on her mind, and there was good reason for that. 

Oh, I hate to backtrack and talk basketball here, especially since this was such a great baseball game.  I talked about this with a bunch of people I know, but not on the blog, because there wasn’t a reason to.  Last week, Men’s Basketball Coach Paul Weir left the program to go to coach our arch-rivals UNM in Albuquerque.  It was just a money move and upset a lot of fans.  Yesterday (Friday), Women’s Coach Mark Trakh left to go coach the USC Women’s Basketball team.  While this may likely be devastating loss for the Aggie program, it is a good move for Coach Trakh that he’s earned, and I wish him well.  It’s been a bad two weeks for Aggie fans and certainly the players too.         

With that context, I congratulated Brandee and told her how proud the fans were of the team’s performance this season, but had to ask her about the coach.  She sat down next to me, and we actually talked for a couple of minutes.  I feel like I'd be violating some kind of implied trust by writing out our short conversation, since what she told me isn't public knowledge and may be personal too.  Since I didn't tell her I'd be blogging about meeting her, it doesn't seem right to write it out.  Suffice to say, Brandee is sad about the coach leaving, and she is a wonderful person.  (Given some of the embarrassing personal stuff I've written about myself on this blog, restraint is going to seem like an alien concept.)

Back to the game.  In the second, Groff worked into some trouble.  The Bears used some “small ball” to manufacture a run, but it was just one.  0-1 Bears.  In the third, a member of the Women’s Golf team was present and recognized over the PA.  The team had won the conference for the fourth time in a row.  The girl seemed a bit embarrassed, even though she’s obviously great.  Inspired, Brent Sakurai drove in Marcus Still to tie the score in that inning.  He did it by beating out an infield hit that hit third base.  Hustle and luck.  By this inning, the fans, who were into the game, were getting annoyed with the strike zone.  It seemed a bit wide.  “Good guess, ump!” said one of them. 

Groff seemed to be working faster, but unfortunately gave up a home run to the first batter of the fourth.  1-2 Bears.  Again, the damage was limited.  A little leaguer went out for the broken glass challenge.  Unfortunately, he never got close to hitting the pane.  I hope he wasn’t the team’s pitcher.  A young couple sat down behind me in the bottom of the inning.  The girl made the immediate observation that the field needs a new scoreboard.  It really heartened me to hear them talk baseball and get into the game. 

Here came the fifth and Sakurai drove in another run to tie the score.  We went to the sixth.  Aggie trivia asked, “Who’s the tallest player on the team?”  I quickly consulted the program and, as usual, got the wrong answer.  Okay, but seriously, Kody Jones?  Who?  He’s a junior and (gasp) 6’11”?  Are you kidding me?  And this guy isn’t on the basketball team?  Also in this inning, a foul ball bounced off the press box and rebounded off the inside of the net.  No injuries.  And a fan came in wearing a Brooklyn Dodgers hat and a White Sox t-shirt.

Oh, what happened on field in the sixth?  Groff had his final inning.  The first two batters grounded out, and he struck out the final batter.  Unfortunately, he gave up another home run in between.  The wind seemed to alternate between knocking fly balls down and helping them out.  2-3 Bears.  To start the bottom, Austin Botello doubled and Dan Hetzel drove him in with another double.  This tied the score and chased the Bear’s starter.  Mason Fishback would bring in Hetzel, and Marcus Still would single in LJ Hatch (which was the card Brandee was handing out).  A third Bear pitcher got the last two outs to end the inning.  Finally, a big inning and the lead, 5-3 Aggies.

The seventh was the pivotal inning.  Alex Reyes started the frame.  He gave up a hit to the first Bear batter.  On the second batter, Brent made a great stop and, falling away from first, made the play on the runner.  Unfortunately, two walks and a hit batter later, and it was 5-4 Aggies.  Dalton Shalberg was brought in with the bases loaded and one out.  Whoever said baseball is boring has obviously not sat through one of these kind of high tension situations.  Shalberg was up to it.  A high popup to short, kept the runners from advancing and a strikeout looking ended the inning.  The crowd came to its feet, applauding, and Shalberg got a hero’s welcome in the dugout. 

In the bottom, Botello once again got it started with a single.  Hetzel then blasted a homer to left center.  The fielder scaled the wall trying to bring it back, but it was gone.  7-4 Aggies.  Meanwhile in this inning, a foul bunt actually popped high into the stands.  No harm done.  A gentleman picked it up and gave it to a little leaguer nearby.  Elsewhere, a young woman came back to her families’ seats bearing freshly baked cinnamon rolls.  What?  Where did these come from?  A guy came in with a couple of Coke Zeros earlier, and I was jealous enough.  I need some better friends at the ballpark.

Joey Ortiz had a quiet game hitting, but still had the mitt and ended the top of the eighth with a great pick and throw.  I’m still wondering about what I thought I saw in the bottom of the inning.  Greg Popylisen popped up to the pitcher with two on.  He then handed his helmet to Sakurai, who used it for his at bat.  I can’t have seen that right.  Aggie closer, Ruger Rodriguez came in for the ninth.  Firing 90+, he struck out the first two batters.  The crowd was clapping and stomping on the next two hitters, hoping for a strikeout.  They had two strikes on them, but both managed to single.  Brent was injured diving for one of those hits, but stayed in the game.  Ruger finally gave the crowd a backward “K” as he struck out the last batter looking.  Aggies 7, Bears 4, Crowd happy and exhausted.      

The game went three and half hours, but when it’s tight, tense, and has multiple lead changes, that’s okay.  I’m glad it was a passionate crowd that got to see this game.  They deserved it.  Let’s give the fan star award to, I think, Marcus Still’s family.  They were the loudest cheerers during the game, encouraging all the players.  They got the crowd singing “Sweet Caroline” in the eighth.  After the game, they were dancing to Kool and Gang’s “Celebrate.”  My star players of the game are Dalton Shalberg, for preserving that one run lead in the seventh, and Dan Hetzel, for his seventh inning two-run homer to put the game away.  The Aggies are now 10-1 in conference.  This may have been their first come from behind win this season, and they did it three times today!

Walking out, I saw Brandee shepherding the little leaguers in the “kiss and cry” area to meet the players.  She seemed extra stressed.  It’ll work out for her.  Outside the stadium a couple of, well, hot chicks were lounging by an RV with a barbeque going.  They even had Adam Young’s post game going on a TV inside.  When Coach Brian Green said he wanted this to be an RV/tailgate program, this must have been what he meant.  What a tremendous day at the ballpark.  

El Paso Diablos vs Tacoma Rainiers 4-19-17 Part 2

Continued from Part 1

It took me long enough in this recap to get to the first inning.  Actually this game was the best part of being at the game.  Chuck and I were both keeping scorecards, but he’d forgotten to bring a pencil, so I lent him my pen, which had consequences later. 

Chris Heston started the game for the Rainiers.  This was a bit of a surprise for me, since I didn’t know where he’d gotten to lately.  The last I’d heard of him, Heston had pitched a no hitter for the San Francisco Giants in New York.  There was some brief hope he’d be the next great Giants pitcher.  I was using that winning image as my wallpaper for a while.  Likewise, I’d watched Rainier second baseman, Gordon Beckham, play several times for the White Sox, and he was one of my favorite players on the team.  (And now, WGN America doesn’t even show baseball games.) 

The night started well for the Diablos as pitcher, Tyrell Jenkins, had a clean inning to start the game.  In the bottom, Franchy Cordero led off with a triple and was driven in by Corey Spangenberg. 1-0 Diablos.  The top of the second had three plays I’m still in shock over.  The first batter grounded to Spangenberg at third, who dropped it.  As I was looking down to write “E5” on my scorecard, I looked up and saw that he had thrown out the runner.  ALWAYS WATCH THE ENTIRE PLAY BEFORE MARKING IT.  Jenkins walked the next batter.  He then picked off the runner, who hadn’t even strayed far enough to try to dive back.  It seemed like he tripped or came off the bag.  Jenkins walked the next batter.  He picked him off and the runner was diving back.  Two pick offs in a row?  Every time I think I’ve seen everything in a ballgame, I’m surprised shortly thereafter. 

The bottom of the second didn’t have much action, but I did suddenly see Chico in the upper level Westar Bank section casting a fishing line down in to the lower level.  I’m not sure what was going on there.  Also, a huge military cargo jet flew over.  It just seemed to defy gravity.  The biggest play of the entire third inning was a foul ball that fell into a nearby section and was dropped by a fan, who was boo’ed.  The people next to us were pretty loud and having a good time with audience participation.  They got right into the “We want a hit!” chant.  When the player at bat got a free pass, they changed to “We’ll take a walk!”  Dance Cam between halves featured a couple of attendants dressed as Diamond Girls dancing to Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

Clank!  Rainier Daniel Vogelbach bounced a two-run home run ball off the sign on the Big Dog House in right field.  Jenkins finished the fourth inning with a strikeout and two on in scoring position.  1-2 Rainiers, and that could have been worse.  The Diablo half of the fourth started off with a great Rainier defensive play, as DJ Peterson caught a foul ball going into the third base camera well.  OMG, are the fans in front of us using a selfie stick?  Sitting at a ball game, you need a selfie stick, really?  I’m just embarrassed.  Thankfully, the players didn’t notice. 

Spangenberg had a great diving stop and put out to start the fifth.  Meanwhile, catcher Tony Cruz earned his pay, getting hit on a backswing.  No obvious harm done.  Diego Goris tied it for the Diablos on a monster solo home run into the centerfield green seats (the elevated lawn overlooking the field).  Back in the old Diablo days, players hitting a home run would stand beside the stands by the dugout with their helmet out.  Fans would line up to give them tip money for the shot.  (I’m thinking probably a couple of phone numbers too.)  Yes, really.  Tips for home runs.  Cruz then doubled (I told you he was fine) and Franchy singled him home to give the team the lead.  3-2 Diablos.  

Chuck had gotten up to get a meal in this inning, and I continued his scorecard for him.  Of course, the hardest play of the game to score came up.  Rainier catcher Tuffy Gosewich attempted to pick off Carlos Asuaje on second.  The throw went into centerfield.  Asuaje hesitated for a second, then broke for third, where he was put out by the centerfield.  I have this as a Caught Stealing, but I think the official record disagrees.  Needless to say, the third base umpire was not a popular person after that play.  Thereafter, he got a steady stream of abuse on any call involving him, perhaps correctly.  In the sixth, the Rainiers answered with a run driven in to tie the score. 

In the top of the seventh, I ran out to get a drink refill and a pizza pretzel.  I still kept up with the game, via radio and a TV monitor by the concessions (clever).  I did miss the grounds crew dragging the base paths and doing a dance routine to Seals & Crofts’ “Diamond Girl.”  I think the PA called them the “Diamond Boys.”  The significance of this goes back the Diamond Girls that used to perform at Diablos games.  They were the team cheerleaders in little shorts and tops in team colors.  I think they were high school girls.  They’d sashay to the top of the dugout and perform a cheer routine to the song.  It was attention-getting.  I’m sure there are plenty of El Paso high school cheerleader girls, who’d be happy to perform this summer, if given an outfit and some direction.

Meanwhile in the Diablos’ half of the inning, a single, a sacrifice, and a hit by Spangenberg brought in Cordero to give the team a 4-3 lead.  The top of the eighth featured some kind of ice bucket Diablos’ trivia challenge with the loser getting wet.  In the eighth, the wheels came off for Rainier pitching.  Nine men came to the plate with five of them scoring.  However, this was not without controversy. 

Goris’ apparently hit a bases clearing double to center, only to have one of the runners called back to third.  The ball had bounced out of play and was ruled a ground rule double.  The crowd muttered in confusion, not having the radio call on like I did.  The new “pitch-less” intentional walk sent a runner to first without any preamble.  Tim Hagerty on the radio seemed to disapprove of the new rule.  I’m not sure what the fans thought. 

With the bases loaded, Asuaje sent a high fly ball into the near unobservable left field corner.  It looked out, but the third base umpire ruled it fair.  Chuck, using a pen, scratched this into his scorecard.  The video started to show a replay, and then immediately stopped before showing the ball in flight.  Meanwhile, the umpires convened and then sent the runners back to the bases.  You can imagine the crowd’s reaction, even knowing that was probably the right call.  Chuck’s scorecard was wrecked.  Back at the plate, Asuaje did go ahead and rap a two-run single.  9-3 Diablos. 

The ninth inning entertainment featured a girl in an NM State shirt playing a balloon-pumping game.  Good to see we weren’t the only Las Cruces natives in the park.  The Rainiers did score one run to bring the final score to Diablos 9, Rainiers 4.  The most exciting moment of the inning was actually a foul ball that hit the roof.  Experienced fans started yelling immediately and about three seconds later, the ball rolled back off and into a, thankfully, deserted section.  It’s that proximity of danger that makes the game so involving.  I give my star of the game to Diego Goris, mostly for his home run.   

After unfortunately having to end my brief affair with our usher, I went to the bathroom.  Again, I hit my head on the shelf over the urinal.  Next time, I’m using a toilet in a stall.  If traffic getting to the stadium was bad, we had no idea how much worse it would be on the way back.  Construction shutdown two lanes of the interstate, and it took a half hour just to get past it, and then another half hour to get home.         So the trip was bad, we missed the giveaway, and I didn’t like the expensive, ballpark food.  But gosh darn it, we had a great time.  Credit the great game and the atmosphere, including the cute girls and throwback uniforms.  Good show Diablos.  I’ll probably be back again before the construction finishes in another year, but I’ll certainly enjoy it more when it is done.  

El Paso Diablos vs Tacoma Rainiers 4-19-17 Part 1

Part 1

Yes, you read that right.  The Diablos are back in El Paso, at least for every Wednesday home game.  Finally, I can call the Chihuahuas what I’ve been mentally calling them for their entire existence.  The tradition of myself, Chuck, and Jacob taking in a ball game in El Paso continues for another year.  This time Ron joined us for the game.  (And we forgot to take a group picture.)  Even better, since we bought the tickets a month ago, this got us out of an after-hours, full organization meeting (though we did miss barbecue being served). 

I’m going to have to mention the traffic from Las Cruces to El Paso.  We left early, but ran right into rush hour traffic.  Further, the ongoing road construction made a bad situation worse.  We picked this particular game for the Diablos blanket giveaway, but weren’t even close to getting one.  Seeing a few floating around, I didn’t feel too disappointed.  Jacob, good-naturedly, got on to a girl handing out programs, even calling her by name (thanks to her nametag).  She apologized, but you have to get there early for the freebies.  (I already have the Cody Decker bobblehead.  What could be better than that?) 

80’s music filled the air.  Diablos shirts and hats filled the concourse.  I was immediately sorry I had lost my old yellow Diablos giveaway hat.  It was almost like the old days, though nobody was going to mistake the glamorous, award-winning Southwest University Park for Cohen Stadium (a nice place to see a game) or the Dudley Dome (umm . . . it had “character” and it wasn’t a dome; it was barely a standing structure).  

We hit the concessions.  I finally got my nachos in a dog bowl.  However upon finally receiving it, I suddenly realized that I just wanted chips and cheese and not all the other toppings.  I ended up handing it to Ron to eat and went back for pizza.  I also don’t have a pet, so I ended up giving bowl away.  (Ron and Jacob enjoyed the nachos, so it was just me.)  Unsatisfied (either with not having eaten enough or not having spent enough), late in the game, I went back for a pizza pretzel.  The pizza part was actually cooked into the middle of the pretzel and not a topping.  Points for originality and concept, but in taste, it wasn’t that great, being way too dry.  This all ended up being an expensive lesson ballpark eatery.  I never even got dessert.  Next time, just get a hamburger (those are good) and a large drink. 

Our seats were off to the left of home plate and had a great, close view of most of the field (except the left field corner, which would be meaningful later).  I have to mention a couple of attractive ballpark distractions.  I remember last year being fascinated by a waitress in the good seats below us.  This year was no different.  The girl this time had dark hair with blonde highlights at the ends.  Way too cute to be considered goth or punk.  Her hair kept falling in front of eyes, forcing her to keep brushing it aside in a most adorable manner. 

Meanwhile, our section usher was that rare combination of cute and beautiful with very long, flowing blonde hair and a sweet face, covered by oversized eyeglasses.  She was very pleasant and often smiling.  Every half inning, the attendants walk down to the front of their sections for some reason and then back to the top at the start of the inning.  Every time she came down, she kept catching me looking at her and didn’t seem to mind.  I think we may have been flirting.  On the way out after the game, I caught her eye and mouthed out a “Thank you,” and she smiled back.  If only I lived in El Paso and had season tickets.    

This reminds me of something that happened at Cohen Stadium in the 90’s with my friend at the time, Kyle.  At one game we were at, he saw a gorgeous section usher and, after obsessing over her for the whole game, he decided to make a play for her.  So, we came back on another night and got tickets for her section.  I should mention these were really good and expensive seats behind the plate.  But first, Kyle needed some courage and had a couple of the beers at the concessions.  He looked down at her from the concourse, like Gatsby pining for Daisy.  After he had perhaps gotten her attention from there, we made our down with a couple of more beers, and Kyle introduced himself to her.  Kyle downed both beers in a couple of innings and sent me back for a couple more.  “Six,” she muttered as I walked with both hands full.  “Kyle, I think she’s counting how much beer you’ve been drinking.”  It had been about six inside of an hour. 

Kyle started to give me inning by inning updates on how much his head weighed.  At about 250 lbs, he finally got up to relieve himself, or more accurately, staggered to his feet and wobbled up the steps.  He didn’t return for an inning.  Concerned, I got up to search to search the bathrooms and the concessions before returning to our seats.  He got my attention as I was walking back.  Kyle was back in the general admission area behind our seats.  “I can see her better from here.”  I couldn’t argue the logic.  He’d also made the acquaintance of a co-worker of his intended and used her to set up a meeting.  He was indeed granted an audience about 15-minutes following the game.  Kyle went off to his destiny.  And quickly returned.  “Let’s go,” he said, through a clenched jaw, though he started talking vociferously after we were out of the stadium. 

Here I made my mistake.  I let him drive.  Yes, still bombed and now angry.  Somewhat exceeding the speed limit, Kyle swerved from the on ramp to freeway, and then just as quickly swerved into the next off ramp and back to the stadium parking lot.  “I may be a little too mad to drive right now,” he explained.  We had both pointlessly brought mitts to the game, which were obviously useless sitting behind the screen.  I also had a ball, so we proceeded to play catch for a while.  This ended abruptly as Kyle ended up drunk tossing the ball into the bushes, and it was gone.  Eventually, Kyle sobered up, and we were the last to leave the stadium.  We didn’t go back for the rest of the season.  There’s no real moral to this, I guess.  As I recall, this girl was worth the embarrassment just to have a shot at her. 

Back to the present.  It wasn’t a full house, but it was a great crowd.  Walk-ups looking for cheap SRO or “green” seats were out of luck.  The party suites in the outfield were empty.  They should really make those seats available, since those sections are rented or not well in advance.  Our section was popular and packed.  Specifically, I was packed in like a sardine between my large friends.  I could just move my arms enough to fill out scorecard and stuff food in my face.  I probably needed a chiropractor afterward to put my shoulders back in place.  Regardless, it was a happy, enthusiastic bunch in attendance.  They were very into the game, arriving mostly on time and mostly staying to the end.

There were three first pitches.  First was a cute little girl who threw 90 mph strike on the outer black (slight embellishment).  Next came a local celebrity, who ran up and placed the ball in the catcher’s mitt and still bounced it.  Finally, and to the loudest applause, came former Diablos’ owner Jim Paul.  He’s still well thought of for his innovative management of the team.  His pioneering promotional techniques are still in use today right here at the new ballpark.   

On field, we had the team in the classic 80’s uniforms.  Some of the attendant girls were dressed as Diamond Girls (more on that later).  Chico was in a Diablos jacket.  The old team didn’t have a mascot, though the San Diego Chicken was a frequent enough guest to almost qualify.  An old TV news report was shown between innings which featured a montage of the season passed.  Both teams’ coaches, Rod Barajas and Pat Listach, were former Diablos.  Pat was introduced for his at bats as “Lightning” Listach.  I don’t think they had walk up music then, so they went with nicknames. 

The voice of the Diablos, Tim Hagerty, in his role as a baseball historian, was relishing being able to relate tales of the old team.  Is Jon Teicher still around town?  It’d be good to bring him in to call an inning and talk about the team.  Dearly departed Paul Strelzin, beloved and infamous PA for the team was discussed for his moment of glory, being ejected for playing Linda Ronstadt singing, “I’ve Been Cheated,” after a bad umpiring decision.  Baseball Digest once did list of ejections and that one topped it.                

Wait, I just remembered there was a game going on too.  I remember seeing it.  I sure hope this post is continued.

Part 2

NM State Aggies vs UMKC Roos Softball 4-15-17

As much as I’d like to crow over a couple of Aggie victories (spoilers), I’m still getting over a mild cold that manifested on Friday, just like the last softball game I attended.  This is second cold in three weeks.  Sometimes I think my workplace is actually a bio-hazard lab.  Still, I’d made commitments to go to Saturday’s softball double header and to going to lunch with my dad, when I should have stayed in bed.  It felt like my head was in a vice all day. 

Well, at least it was a lovely sunny 90 degree day with a slight breeze to keep things from getting hot.  I was wearing my new NM State Softball t-shirt courtesy of a Sports Accessories giveaway, which I have to say, looked pretty good.  It was Aggie Kid’s Club Day, but there was actually a strange lack of children at the game.  During player introductions, Aggie catcher, Nikki Butler, brought a couple of little girls with her to stand with the team.  Another little girl threw out the first pitch.  This was all very endearing.    

Ron was with me and I hope I didn’t infect him.  I’d brought an umbrella for the sun.  He was amazed I had an actual El Paso Diablos umbrella.  Unfortunately for Game 1, he was sitting to my right, and I couldn’t use it.  Luckily, we changed sides for Game 2.  Aggie baseball was finishing up on the road at the same time as this game was starting.  Between fiddling with my umbrella and a non-user friendly radio, I missed the end.  Ron didn’t have any trouble tuning it in and informed me that the Aggies had won.  Of note during the game while I was listening earlier, Brent Sakurai hit another triple.  He’s closing in on an Aggie record. 

The crowd filled in well for Game 1 and thinned out for Game 2, but was still pretty good.  I didn’t notice immediately, but Tamara William and Tyler Ellis from the basketball team were in the unofficial student/athlete section of the grandstand.  Me and Ron were in the unofficial senior citizen section (which was full) across from them, and I didn’t get a chance to congratulate the girls on their season.  Surprisingly, they were still there for Game 2 until the end.  (Cutie Tamara doesn’t have anything better to do on a Saturday evening?) 

“It was too good to last,” said Ron.  His nemesis, the old man, showed up after being absent from several Aggie events.  He was in fine form, loudly cheering on the girls the whole time.  This time there was something of an answer.  There was a loud Roos fan in the center of grandstand, the unofficial visiting fans’ section, who cheered on his girls.  I didn’t find any of this terribly annoying, though there were a couple of fans behind us who seemed to be doing play-by-play commentary on a baseball game they were watching.  I never figured out what teams were involved in the game.

Game 1     

The first thing I noticed was that the Aggies’ regular left fielder, Amy Bergeson, wasn’t in the game.  She showed up as a pinch runner in Game 2, but that was it.  I hope she’s okay.  Also, Nikki didn’t catch this game, which didn’t surprise me, since it was a day game after a night game.  She ended up DP’ing for both games.  Local girl, Alexis Maynez did all the catching.  I’ve been rooting for her to do well.  She really always seems to trying hard.

Kayla Green started for the Aggies.  She looked very poised out there for the game.  For her five innings, Kayla avoided having a bad inning.  She walked a couple in the fifth, but really helped herself out fielding by snagging a hard, low liner and then a popup in front of the plate.  Maybe her playing first base briefly earlier in the season wasn’t a stretch.  The Roos had their own “ball” chant during those walks, where they were counting up the number of balls, but it didn’t seem to get to Kayla.  The Aggie defense was solid behind her.  Alexis had her head up and made a couple of snap throws to bases to keep runners close.

The Aggies got the scoring going in the first, as Kelsey Horton was brought in via a centerfield error.  Roo pitching held the Aggies for the next two innings, but things got ugly in the fourth for them.  Victoria Castro hit a two-run homer that just cleared the left centerfield wall.  The Roo centerfielder seemed to come up with it to rob her, but it may have bounced off her glove, which she threw down in disgust afterward.  I’ve actually seen a major league player do that, not just Little Leaguers.  Now noticing I’ve mentioned her twice, I feel bad for Roo centerfielder, Kendra Leach.

Alexis faced a new Roo pitcher right after that and singled off her.  She always looked like she could hit when was in the batter’s box.  It was good to see her put it together for a hit.  I put an “IP” note on her progress on the scorecard to indicate being moved up by an illegal pitch.  Three more runs scored thanks to a walk, a single, a hit batter, and a run walked in.  During Nikki’s at bat in the inning, she did almost decapitate teammate Caity Szczesny on third base at the time.  Caity came up smiling and shaking her head. 

Up 6-0 in the fifth, Victoria singled her way on.  Alexis stepped up to the plate next and homered.  It was her first of the year, probably her career.  The dugout exploded for her.  It may have been more for her getting the big hit than ending the game 8-0 on a run rule.     For that shot, Alexis joins Victoria and Kayla for my players of this game.     

        

We spent the intermission in the Ron’s car in the air conditioning.  I was mostly head down over my scorecard trying to add things up.  (I did a really poor job for the day.  Events were complicated and I wasn’t feeling well.)  I missed the girls Ron was ogling who were walking by.  Unfortunately I did see a scene play out on the practice field next to the stadium.  Lia Lombardini, the Roo’s pitcher who gave up the game-ending home run, was being consoled by another player.  They hugged after a lengthy talk, and I suspect there were some tears involved.  Now I felt bad.  I didn’t want these girls beaten to the point of crying. 

Game 2

We got back inside just as the game started.  I immediately noticed there was a female umpire for this game, but heckling was still allowed.  I missed the lineups and never really recovered.  I was able to score the plays in the first, but wasn’t sure which Roos were involved.  It’s a good thing I was properly seated for the bottom of the inning, because it was a complex affair.  With Haley Nakamura on, Kelsey Horton came to bat.  She’d had a quiet Game 1, so her two-run blast to right center was completely expected.  It was her ninth of the year.  Nikki and Fahren Glackin reached, and Victoria came up and hit another home run.  5-0 Aggies. 

The Roo right fielder made a great diving catch on the next batter.  (Again, I missed the lineups.  I’m not sure who was where to give credit.  [Monday edit: After looking at the official scoring, I’m more confused than ever.  I think Alex Larson was in right field for the first inning.])  Myself and several other Aggie fans were applauding her in spite of our rooting interests.  It was looking that bad for them.  Alexis was up next.  The right fielder made another dive at her liner, but that ended up going for triple.  Destiny Blueford tripled her in and scored herself on a passed ball.  7-0 Aggies after one inning.

I could hear somebody, maybe the coach, tell the Roo dugout, “Don’t get down.”  Unfortunately for them, the Aggie second inning just piled on with three more runs.  The frame ended with the Roo right fielder making a great basket catch.  [Monday edit: This may have been Abby Warkentine’s play in right field.]  Up 10-0, the Aggies started putting in some subs in the third.  Kelsey went to play first, where she probably should be to begin with. 

Samaria Diaz, pitching for the Aggies, finally allowed a Roo run in the third.  I think this was the inning that Alexis dropped a foul tip for a strikeout, that instead ended up turning into a hit.  In the fourth, two more Roo runs scored via Kendra Leach, giving her some redemption for the day.  [Monday edit: Kendra was the pitcher for the first inning of this game, then moved to center.  Alex Larson went to the mound to pitch the rest of the game.  Kendra wasn’t listed as a pitcher and Alex wasn’t listed as an outfielder on the program.]  Alexis would hold on to a third strike foul tip this inning for a strikeout.  She learns quick.  10-3 Aggies. 

In the fifth, Alexis belted a double to leadoff.  I’m sure she never wanted this day to end, going 5 for 6 in total.  [Monday edit: Alexis was named WAC Hitter of the Week for this performance.]  Amy Bergeson came in as a pinch runner for her.  She was advanced to third on an error that got Brandy Hernandez on base.  Brandy attempted to steal second.  The catcher’s throw went high and into centerfield.  Amy trotted home for the run, bringing the score to 11-3 and another run rule game.  My player of the game picks are Kendra Leach for the Roos, and Victoria, Alexis, and Kelsey for the Aggies.

It’s hard to make two run ruled games into an epic struggle.  [Monday edit: Epic struggle would describe filling out these scorecards.  I made some corrections on mine according to the official scoring.  On Game 2, even if I had gotten the original UMKC lineup down, I would have been lost.  Apparently, the Roos catcher didn’t take an at bat.]  Friday’s win versus the Roos was at least closer at 5-2.  Ron was somewhat unhappy and felt like he’d been cheated out of four innings.  Both games played in under an hour and half.  He did get an Easter egg from one of the fan giveaways.  Stay lively at these softball games.  They’re always throwing stuff into the stands.  Where was the Easter Bunny anyway?  He showed up at a baseball game last year.  No wonder there weren’t any kids here for the game.

The Aggies’ next game is a Tuesday double header versus the Arizona Wildcats, which they announced as number one in the nation.  Good luck and sorry I can’t come for that.  I’ve already scheduled a day off to see the El Paso Chihuahuas on Wednesday.  I at least hope that I’ll show up in good health for the girl’s next weekend series.          

NM State Aggies vs UTRGV Vaqueros Baseball 4-9-17

The start time of this game was moved up an hour.  I remember showing up to a game late last year because of a similar issue, which turned out to be a great game.  Thankfully, I was at the Saturday game where the PA made sure to let the fans know about the change.  The crowd was pretty small at the start of the game, but filled in pretty well as it went on (555 official attendance).   

  

Today’s giveaway card featured Brent Sakurai.  He’s one of my favorite players on the team.  I think I met him outside the stadium once, and he was a nice guy.  I came hungry, since it was early and dollar hot dog day.  The hot dogs weren’t ready before the game.  That was disappointing.  I did get one 10 minutes later right before the first pitch.  It was just further disappointment.  (The Corn in a Cup was good though.)  Ron was hungry too, but he smartly picked up a hamburger at Jack in the Box before picking me up.  I just don’t know about NMSU concessions (though I’m still hoping to try the Pan-Am Center hamburger).

It was a little cooler today, but worse, the wind was colder and blowing into the grandstand.  I wished I had brought the jacket that I’d brought yesterday.  UTRGV was wearing grey pajamas today out on the field.  It wasn’t an upgrade from Saturday’s uniform.  (They also started three guys named Garcia.)  The Aggies were in sharp-looking crimson tops and white pants.  I’d planned on not wearing Aggie stuff today, but reconsidered to respect the streak, so I was in crimson too.  Also for a second day, Nolan Fox wasn’t in the radio booth with Adam Young.  Adam seemed pretty preoccupied with the curfew time three and half hours from the start time (so that UTRGV could make their plane).  Specifically, he was worried that they’d changed the time without telling him.     

A little girl from the Aggie Kid’s Club threw out the first pitch.  She threw like a girl, but dropped a strike right into (I think) Jason Bush’s mitt.  The crowd roared.  Jason congratulated her and handed her the ball.  The team mobbed her as she came off the field.  It was so cute.  I’d like to think that gave the Aggies some good karma for the game.            

Jonathan Groff started off the game well for the Aggies with two groundouts.  Then the third batter sent one deep to center field.  Marcus Still got an unfortunate error trying to catch it.  He may have misjudged it with the wind.  If he’d been less athletic, Still wouldn’t have gotten a glove on it and thus been charged with an error.  The next batter singled the runner in.  The PA played Shania Twain’s “That Don’t Impress Me Much.”  I’m thinking the two-run homer next did.  Because of the two-out error, all the runs were unearned.  0-3 Vaqueros. 

Men’s Basketball coach Paul Weir came in in the bottom.  I wanted to congratulate him on their season as he went by, but didn’t get his attention.  I should give up on wanting to talk to Aggie sports figures.  I saw Mario Moccia again.  This time he wisely brought his wife with him to keep track of his two little girls.  Marcus hustled his way on to start the Aggie frame and when he got moved over to third, he took home on a wild pitch.  That’s some atonement.  Dan Hetzel then drove in a run.  Tristan Carranza got a gift single on a ball that rolled foul, then fair.  Unfortunately, he didn’t run it out and only made an out.  Little John Hatch, better known as LJ (little wonder he goes by his initials), would drive in Hetzel, and Mason Fishback would drive in LJ.  4-3 Aggies in a good bounce back inning.  The crowd was totally loud and into it for the comeback. 

A staffer walked by with a big beautiful dog, like a cross between a German Sheppard and a collie with one droopy ear.  Oh, how I wanted to reach out and pet that dog, but it was just out of reach.  Meanwhile, two very large birds orbited over the field, checking out the action.  So much for wildlife, back to the game.  The Vaqueros scored another run in the second.  It was a complicated series of events.  A runner got on via another error, though was thrown out on an overslide trying to advance on a wild pitch.  The next batter tripled in the lead runner, who had gotten on by a single previously.  Somehow that’s an unearned run.  I don’t think the rule book will help me this time.  4-4 tie.     

The Aggies came right back in their at bat and nearly sent nine men to the plate again.  Austin Botello doubled in Joey Ortiz.  Hetzel then blasted a 400’ non-wind aided shot over the centerfield wall.  7-4 Aggies, in spite of what the scoreboard said.  Adam pointed out it was wrong.  I wondered how he could see the board with the sun on it.  The lights on it are almost invisible in direct sunlight. 

There was another poor play in the third.  Groff picked off the runner on first, who managed to get around the tag at second after a bad throw and stole the base.  He came around to score on a double, and that was after a bad non-strike call.  7-5 Aggies.  If Groff got frustrated with the defense, he had to like the offense.  You know things are going right when Ortiz tried to bunt the two runners over, the first baseman fielded it, lost his glove with ball still in it, and he’s safe to load the bases.  A pass ball plated one run and a double play scored another.  9-5 Aggies.     

          

Ron went off for a walk during the fourth.  He was not himself and didn’t seem well.  An inning later, he returned and tossed me a ball.  He bragged about outmuscling the ballhawk kids for it.  Just kidding.  He found it lying around behind the grandstand.  Here was a conundrum for me.  I’d always thought that if I got a ball, I’d do what you’re supposed to do and give it to a kid (after getting a picture with it).  However, as I fondled the pitching mud-encrusted object, I found it very hard to part with.  Hmm.  I contemplated seeing if I could get an autograph on it after the game.  Okay, next ball I’ll give away.  Actually, after I showed it to dad, I think he wanted one too.  So the third ball, I’ll give away.  Unless somebody else I know wants one too.  They’re kind of magical, you know. 

The top of the fourth finished without anyone scoring finally, but there was still drama.  I was watching a high foul fly get caught by the Vaquero dugout for the last out, when I suddenly noticed a crowd around home plate.  The home plate umpire was on one knee being attended to by both training staffs and the coaches.  He’d collapsed, perhaps from dehydration, though it wasn’t hot out.  He got a good round of applause for staying in the game from the people who’d been questioning his strike zone.  It’s just game in the end.  In the bottom of the inning, he called a Balk on the Vaquero pitcher.  He actually went to the mound and explained to him what he did to correct him.  Cooper Williams, starting today, sacrificed Fishback in from third.  10-5 Aggies.

Fifth inning and more hi-jinks.  On a bouncer to first, Carranza took it himself instead of tossing it to Groff covering and it became an infield single.  Amazingly, the runner didn’t score later.  Here’s stranger news: the Aggies didn’t score in their half of the inning either.  A couple of young guys sitting by us, brought in a pair of new hats to a couple older gentlemen they were sitting with.  They looked pretty cool, sort of like Brooklyn Dodger hats, but the hat was a different shade of blue and the Olde English “B” was in gold.  I wonder where they came from. 

In the sixth, the Aggies tacked on two more runs, 12-5.  Adam pronounced this, “A game that is taking forever.”  He was looking at the clock and wondering how much longer they’re going to be able to play.  I started to wonder if he had a plane to catch too.  By the seventh, the sky was now overcast, but the wind had died down, so it was actually more pleasant.  A couple of the ballhawk kids walked by with a half dozen balls in a mitt.  I still feel a little bad about keeping my ball, but not too bad. 

Apparently, the Aggies wanted the game over too.  In spite of a double play taking out the first two batters, the next two batters got on the hard way after getting hit.  Hatch knocked in one of them.  (I have an error advancing a runner, but the scorer must have waved that off later.)  Mason Fishback then delivered the game-winning, two-RBI single that ended the game immediately on the 10 run rule.  Aggies 15, Vaqueros 5 is our final.  That only took two hours and 25 minutes and nobody missed their flight.                   

First, I have to give a raspberry to Aggie fielding today with four errors and other mishaps.  I only recorded three errors, and I think I have the hits right, so the scorer must have changed his mind on something else.  The guys will probably be running laps or something at the next practice.  Those muffs kept UTRGV in this game.  While Jonathan Groff gave up five runs in six innings, only one was earned (though I’m confused why that run in the second was unearned).  Given the wind and his defense, Groff gets a star.  Likewise, Dan Hetzel and Mason Fishback were awesome today driving in runs.  The Aggie offense scored in six of seven innings.  The Aggies are now 6-0 for the first time in the WAC, and the only undefeated team with Grand Canyon losing on Saturday.

Right after the game, Ron wanted to leave.  I didn’t argue, though I wanted to try to get Coach Brian Green’s autograph on my ball.  (Actually, I wanted an excuse to talk to him for a second to make a suggestion.)  I asked him about the family lunch he was going to, at which point he confided that he really wasn’t feeling well and was going straight home.  He felt he just needed some rest.  It was a great game.  I was sorry him and Adam didn’t enjoy it.  Before we left though, he drove around the baseball/softball complex.  Ron was looking for a way to get at the home run balls behind the fence.  Maybe next time.       

NM State Aggies vs UTRGV Vaqueros Baseball 4-8-17

Ah, it was a beautiful day here in the desert southwest.  The temperature was in the mid 80’s with hardly a cloud in the sky.  There was a stiff breeze, but it actually helped cool things off.  However, Garth Brooks was in town to do five concerts this weekend.  Yes, five.  No, I don’t know why, but they all sold out.  At Friday night’s game (10-2 Aggies), it was Garth Brooks night, and they played his music between innings.  (I was only splitting time last night between that game, the Chihuahuas, Aggie softball, and the Astros and Royals.)  Given the influx of people for the concerts at the Pan-Am Center, University street was blocked, and along with it, our usual path to the ball field.  Ron had to take a circuitous route to get to the park, but we got there without any trouble.

Today’s promotion was by ASNMSU (the student association).  They handed out free pizza and souvenir cups.  To students.  So much for the fans and alumni.  However, the team handed out baseball cards of the players, unfortunately one at a time.  Today’s game card was Greg Popylisen.  He’d injured himself in the Texas Tech game earlier this week, but at least he wasn’t traded, like what happens to major league players on their bobblehead giveaway days.

I was in my new crimson shirt, which I hadn’t had a chance to wear for months, with my Aggie button.  Meanwhile, UT Rio Grande Valley was on the field wearing super bright orange tops.  I didn’t see any of their fans wearing similar shirts.  As their workout ended, they came off the field, one at a time, and lined up in front of the dugout.  They have a better record than the Aggies, but mostly because they had a softer pre-conference schedule.  I’m getting worried about this Grand Canyon University team mentioned during the radio pre-game.  They’re like 6-0 in conference, though not eligible for the WAC tournament.    

The crowd was small to start with.  Some hot girls, who were presumably the players’ girlfriends, were camped out next to the Aggie dugout.  The ASNMSU guys sat by the UTRGV dugout, but were pretty quiet.  One of them threw out the first pitch and got ragged on by his friends.  A Vaquero player was seated in the section next to us with a radar gun and a stopwatch.  I saw broadcaster Adam Young chatting with some fans in the stands.  The son of a co-worker came by and said “Hi” to me.  He was working the camera for Aggievision today, as part of his A/V degree.  I don’t know if likes the sports he’s broadcasting or not.  If not, this would be a terrible job.

The wind was gusting hard across the field to the right.  The pitchers would be trying to keep the ball down until it died down later in the game.  The Vaqueros got a couple runners on right away in the first.  The lead runner, though, got thrown out at third, trying to advance on a wild pitch.  That pitch bounced off the ump, instead of to the backstop.  Adam reported seeing Aggie catcher, Jason Bush, smiling after the play, having gotten lucky.  That probably killed that rally.  In the bottom, strangely, just about the same thing happened.  Joey Ortiz would be thrown out at third, trying to take the base on a wild pitch.

By the second, the late-arriving crowd filled in the place (603 attendance).  Maybe they got caught by surprise by University being shutdown.  Aggie starter, Marcel Renteria, was firing in the mid 90’s.  The Vaqueros loaded the bases, but Marcel wriggled out of it.  In the bottom, Dan Hetzel walked and Tristan Carranza was hit by a pitch, but called back for failing to try to get out of the way.  He ended up walking anyway.  LJ Hatch sacrificed the runners over and got a huge cheer from the dugout.  Mason Fishback was intentionally walked (more or less) to load the bases.  With Brent Sakurai at bat, Adam mentioned how hard it is to double up the speedy infielder, at which point he grounded into a double play to end the inning.  Why do broadcasters insist on tempting the baseball gods?

In the third, Aggie Athletic Director, Mario Moccia, came in and sat in front of us briefly with three little girls in tow.  The top of the third ended with Austin Botello going to the left field wall to catch a long fly ball.  Me and the UTRGV player next to us both thought that it was going out, but the wind knocked it down.   In the bottom, Botello drove in Ortiz for the game’s first run.  1-0 Aggies. 

For the fourth, I noticed the girl in front of me was watching a softball game on her phone.  I don’t think it was the Aggie girls.  Mario attempted to do an interview with Adam in the booth, but had to leave quickly as one of his little girls was wandering around the grandstands looking for him.  He returned for the bottom of the inning and would take credit for the Aggies’ offense coming to life.  With the bases loaded, Marcus Still sacrificed a run in.  Ortiz singled in a couple of runs.  Botello followed that with a drive to center field.  The fielder made a great dive at it, but didn’t come up with it and another run scored.  5-0 Aggies. 

In the fifth, a ball went through the net and right into the stands.  Scary.  Even scarier, Renteria loaded the bases again, but two strikeouts and a ground out ended the threat.  Nails.  Carranza and Sakurai both solo homered in the bottom.  An Aggie wind seemed to carry both balls over the fence.  Brent’s went about 400’.  7-0 Aggies 

The main news of the sixth was Mario wandering around the grandstands looking for his girls.  In the seventh, Marcel was touching 96 mph and triumphantly finished off his appearance.  This should have been end of the game, or it should have ended on a run-rule when the Aggies loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh.  Instead the Aggies didn’t score any more runs.  Unfortunately, their relievers started giving them up.  Keaton Graf was removed after coming in and giving up two walks.  Dalton Shalberg loaded the bases and walked in a run, but finished the inning without further damage.  7-1 Aggies.

The top of the ninth got downright hairy for a having a six-run lead going in.  Normally reliable Matt McHugh surrendered two runs without getting an out.  With three on and the tying run at the plate, closer, Ruger Rodriguez, was brought in.  He yielded a run on a sacrifice, but got the outs and ended game.  Aggies 7, Vaqueros 4 final.  Frankly, those last two innings took forever and shouldn’t have happened.  I was starting to bake in the sun too.  Oh well, a win’s a win. 

Going seven innings with no runs allowed, Marcel Renteria is the easy-to-pick star of the game.  Joey Ortiz gets the offensive nod for going 2 for 3, with 2 runs and 2 RBI’s.  For UTRGV, Anthony Gomez had a pretty good game, going 4 for 5, and Josh Witherspoon did pretty well in relief, giving up only two runs in over four innings. 

It was like a model convention in the “kiss and cry” area next to the Aggie dugout after the game.  Lucky bastard players.  Good thing they won after nearly blowing that seven-run lead, otherwise the girls might have deserted them.  Expired What-A-Burgers were handed out at the gate because of the win.  Mixed feelings there.  Ron and I had dinner at Arby’s.  It was swell, especially the salted caramel chocolate chip cookie I had afterward.  Looking forward to tomorrow’s Sunday game.