COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Krey Bratsen bounced a two-out, RBI single to center field in the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie and Jacob House followed with a two-run double as Texas A&M earned a 3-0 win over the Arizona Wildcats in today's NCAA baseball Regional championship game at Olsen Field.
Texas A&M will travel to Tallahassee, Fla., for a three-game Super Regional series with Florida State that begins Saturday.
Bratsen, a freshman from nearby Bryan, made the two biggest plays of the decisive game. Playing center field, he threw out Jett Bandy at home plate as Arizona mounted a rally in the fifth inning.
The Wildcats had runners on first and third with one out when Alex Mejia hit a flare to center.
Jett Bandy broke from third base just as Bratsen fielded the ball and threw home; Bandy appeared to beat the throw, but was tagged on the shoulders by catcher Kevin Gonzalez just as his feet touched the plate.
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Bandy was called out, and the next batter, Seth Mejias-Brean, grounded out to end the frame. Seth Mejias-Brean and Joey Rickard both singled with two out in the eighth, but were stranded when Bryce Ortega grounded out to third base.
The Aggies (45-19) scored all their runs in the bottom half of the frame. Kurt Heyer retired Kenny Jackson and Andrew Collazzo to open the inning before running into trouble. All-American Tyler Naquin doubled off the wall in the center field, bringing up Bratsen.
Bratsen hit a 30-hop single just past Heyer and into center field to give the Aggies a lead. Heyer was pulled for reliever Bryce Bandilla, who intentionally walked Matt Juengel before allowing a two-run double to House. Heyer was charged with two earned runs in 7 2/3 innings, but struck out six and walked two.
Texas A&M received a stellar start from ace Michael Wacha, who scattered just five hits in seven scoreless innings. The right-hander struck out four without walking a batter.
The loss ends Arizona's stellar run through the loser's bracket. The Wildcats (44-20) won once Saturday and twice Sunday to force a one-game playoff. The game was postponed due to rain and lightning Monday night, and rescheduled for today.
