Box Score

Season Stats

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.  – The West Texas A&M baseball season came to an end Saturday with a 3-2 loss to St. Mary's in an elimination game in the NCAA South Central Regional at Suplizio Field.  WT ended its season at 36-20, while St. Mary's improved to 40-15.
 
"Gardner (Kris) did an outstanding job, he kept us off balance all day," WT head coach Matt Vanderburg said.  "We weren't able to get the big hit, I am very proud of this group of guys and we have 13 seniors who are the heart and soul of this team and I can't say enough about those guys."
 
WT scored two runs in the third inning, but a two run home run from Derek Hamilton tied the game in the fourth inning and the Rattlers scored the winning run in the top of the eighth.  WT had runners at the corners with two away in the bottom of the eighth, but were unable to bring home the tying run.
 
Offensively, the Buffs struggled Saturday as they had two runs on five hits, while SMU tallied three runs on eight hits.  The top six in the WT order went a combined 1 for 24.  Senior Max Brennen went 2 for 3 with a run scored to lead the team, while senior Ryan March was 1 for 4 with a RBI.  It also marked the 26^th game this season decided by one run for the Buffs as WT finished 14-12 in one run games.
 
WT junior Justin McAllister (2-3) went seven innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs, one walk and he fanned four.  SMU pitcher Kris Gardner went the distance allowing five hits, two earned runs, walked none and fanned seven.
 
The Buffs used a single, the first hit of the game, in the third inning by Brennen and then senior Johnny Gaines singled through the left side for two on base.  March singled home Gaines and then junior Matt Cole hit a RBI sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead.
 
In the fourth, Brooks Orton began the frame with a double to c enter.  Hamilton then hit a two run blast to left for a 2-2 score. 
 
In the top of the eighth for St. Mary's, Scott Jones doubled to right to begin the inning as the Buffs made a call to the bullpen in favor of senior Paul Lujan.  Orton then singled up the middle for a RBI and a 3-2 lead.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Brennen came up with his second single of the day with one away.  Junior Mason Shiflett pinch-hit and belted a single through the left side for on.  March flied out to center field wall and Brennen advanced to third on a wild pitch.  A ground out ended the threat.