Box Score COLLEGE STATION, Texas – A five-run third inning proved to be the difference Tuesday night as Texas A&M defeated the Northwestern State baseball team 9-5 in the first of a two-game set.
 
The second game is set for Wednesday at 3:05 in Blue Bell Park.
 
Already up 3-1, Logan Taylor was walked on four straight balls by NSU's (5-3) Zack Krebs (1-2), and then stole second. Steven Spann came in for Krebs after hitting Charlie Curl to give the Aggies (6-3) a man on first and second with no outs.
 
“Our starting pitching just wasn't quite where we needed it,” said head coach Lane Burroughs. “If we can put it all together with good quality starts, swing the bats like we did tonight, and have our bullpen hold up like it did we'll be a really good team. We'll get there. ”
 
Blake Allemand laid down a bunt-single to load the bases then Spann struck out J.B. Moss. Mikey Reynolds, TAMU's leading hitter, hit sacrifice fly to right field to score one and Krey Bratsen scored singled to shortstop to score another.
 
A Daniel Mengden single and Mitchell Nau would score three more in the frame.
 
After the big inning, Spann, Nick Helmstetter, and Logan Shaftner would team up to sit down 12 straight Aggies.  Helmstetter pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts, and Shaftner would work two innings with four hits, one run, and three strikeouts.
 
“Our bullpen did a great job,” said Burroughs.  “They came in and gave us a chance.”
 
The Demons tired to mount a comeback with a run seventh and three in the eighth innings.  
 
Nathan Lyons scored the only run in the seventh frame when he singled up the middle, was advanced to second and third after Cort Brinson was hit by a pitch, and Toby Cornejo hit a ball to sh
ortstop deep enough for him to get to the plate.
 
Matt Baca led off the eighth inning with a walk followed by Edwin Gomez being hit by the pitch.  Wallace singled through the left side to load the bases when Nathan Lyons lined one to right field to score two. Wallace scored on a Brinson hit through the left side.
 
“I though offensively our approach was outstanding.  We took the best swings we've taken all year,” said Burroughs. “I felt like our guys handled the environment. I'm proud of our guys, they played hard and didn't give up.”
 
Will Watson led off the ninth inning with a double and Nick Purdy followed with a walk, but after a mound visit Jason Jester sat the next three Demons down to end the game. 
 
Aggie starter Corey Ray (2-0) went 6.1 innings and allowed five hits, two runs, three walks, and struck out four.
 
After Texas A&M, the Demons will travel to Conway, Ark. to play Missouri State.  The game was moved from Springfield, Mo. due to inclement weather.  Those games times will be: Friday at 1 o'clock, Saturday at 2:00, and 9:30 am on Sunday.