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Islanders top Ohio State again

TAMU-CC got its second victory over the Buckeyes in three days with a comeback win Monday afternoon.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi baseball program (5-4, 0-0 Southland) orchestrated yet-another successful comeback bid against visiting Ohio State (5-3, 0-0 Big Ten), upending the Buckeyes by a 3-2 mark Monday afternoon at Chapman Field. Despite trailing by one for nearly half the game, the Islanders' offense stirred to life in the eighth frame behind the Nick Anderson's leadoff triple, notching three runs and an advantage the Blue & Green would never surrender.

KEY INNINGS

Top | 5th

- The Buckeyes picked up the game's first run on a deep homer over the left field wall, jumping out to a 1-0 edge.

Bottom | 8th

- A well-hit ball into center combined with a poor angle from the Ohio State outfielder allowed Anderson to slide into third for the season's first triple, setting up the Islanders with an early opportunity to tie.

- After junior Mike Williams worked his way on base with a full-count walk, the only Buckeye misstep of the day -- a failed pick-off attempt turned error by the pitcher -- gave Anderson the necessary time to knot the score at 1-1.

- A supremely athletic play from Williams on the ensuing fielder's choice resulted in no outs as the junior slid safely into third, placing two at the corners for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

- Sophomore Steven Rivera-Chijin pushed a sacrifice bunt towards the pitcher for the first out of the frame, scoring Williams and allowing pinch runner Dustin Lacaze to reach second.

- After a wild pitch set up Lacaze on third, senior Enrique Sanchez Jr. sealed an insurance run behind a deep sacrifice fly to center field, granting the Islanders a 3-1 edge.

Top | 9th

- With two outs down, Ohio State managed to close the gap to one run on a hard-to-play single to shortstop. A fielder's choice two at-bats later closed out the game in favor of the Islanders, 3-2.

ON THE MOUND

- Sophomore A.G. Ayala picked up his first start of the season, tossing a brilliant 5.0 innings with just one run on as many hits and six strikeouts. Of the two walks Ayala surrendered, he picked off one at first and left the other stranded.

- Next, the Islanders bullpen turned to freshman Hayden Thomas for 1.0 frame of work, striking out two with just the one walk allowed. Sophomore Zach Rumfield (1-0) took over for the final 3.0 innings on the hill, clinching the first win of his career with just one run on as many hits allowed and four key strikeouts.

COMING UP NEXT

With the sweep of Ohio State in the books, the Islanders turn their attention to the second road matchup of the season, traveling north to San Marcos for a battle against Texas State on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL

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