COLLEGE STATION – Ninth inning heroics from Chris Andreas helped the Bearkats upset No. 6 Texas A&M 8-5 in 12 innings on Tuesday night at Olsen Field.
Pregame ceremonies included Texas A&M honoring SHSU head coach Mark Johnson by retiring his No. 7 jersey. The thrilling end to Johnson’s time at Olsen field heightened the emotions of what was certainly an extraordinary win.
“It was a real nice win,” Johnson said. “They have a good ball club. We gave them three runs, but the guys were able to battle back and get the win. I really appreciate the fans who came out here tonight and it was a real honor to have my number retired here.”
Andreas, who had homered in the first inning to put the Kats on the board, came through again in the ninth inning.
Braeden Riley led off the inning with a single, then Andreas went the opposite way for a two-run shot that just sailed inside the left field foul pole to tie the game at five.
After the Bearkat pitchers worked out of a couple of jams in the 9th and 10th innings, the Kats finally broke through in the top of the 12th. Greg Olsen connected on a 1-out single and Kevin Miller followed with a walk. Daniel Nottebart followed with a single to load the bases. Jake Arrington finally gave the Kats the lead on a groundout that scored Olson. A wild pitch then brought home Miller and an infield single that hopped over the outstretched glove of third baseman Andrew Collazo scored the third run of the inning for the Bearkats.
Matt Shelton, a regular weekend starter who came on in relief in the 11th, shut down the Aggies to record six outs and notch his sixth win of the season.
The Bearkats jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the game. After Andreas’ solo shot in the first, they put two more on the board in the second inning. With two outs, the Kats connected on four consecutive singles, including a pair by Luke Plucheck and Ryan Mooney to score runs for the Kats.
SHSU will be back in action this weekend at home as they take on Southeastern Louisiana. The Kats will look to keep the momentum going heading into the series in which they are currently tied for third in the Southland Conference with the Lions.
bscott@houstonianonline.com