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Feb. 7, 2010

Box Score

 

ABILENE, Texas - The West Texas A&M Buffaloes started off their season on a good note on Sunday afternoon, defeating McMurry University, 7-4, on a drizzly and cold day at Driggers Field in Abilene, Texas. The win improves the Buffs to 1-0 while McMurry falls to 0-1 in the season opener for both teams.

"It always feels good to get a win on opening day" said WT head coach Matt Vanderburg "Our offense put the ball in play and forced errors by McMurry that led to some early runs for us."

The Buffs started the scoring early, plating three runs in the top of the first inning that saw McMurry commit three errors. Chris Valerio (JR, Flushing, New York) scored on a throwing error following a Brad Elders (JR, Amarillo, Texas) sacrafice bunt, Elders later scored on a John Haines (JR, Denver, Colorado) RBI groundout.

WT starter Colin Carter (JR, Argyle, Texas) saw his first collegiate start since 2005, striking out three batters in 2.2 innings of work while only giving up one hit and walking four. Carter held McMurry without a hit until the third inning before giving way to right-hander Chad Shands (JR, Richardson, Texas).

Adam Delagarza (SR, Red Oak, Texas) plated Valerio in the fourth inning on an RBI single to left field after Valerio doubled down the left field line to give WT the 5-0 lead after three and a half innings of play.

Shands came into the game in the third inning and was able to keep all McMurry hitters off balance, giving up no runs on one hits in 3.1 innings of work while striking out five and walking only one, picking up the victory for WT (1-0).

"I was very pleased and excited about how Chad (Shands) threw on the mound today" said Vanderburg "He came in and got us out of a big situation in the third ining and took the game over enough where our offense could put up a few more scores."

Will Miller (JR, Vernon, Texas) entered the game in left field in the sixth inning and made an immediate impact, driving the second pitch he saw over the right field fence to give WT the 6-0 lead.

McMurry plated their first run in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Michael Falcone singled to center field to score teammate Clay Schubert off of WT right-hander Jonathan Paez (JR, San Antonio, Texas). McMurry scored their second run on a wild pitch to cut the WT lead to 6-2 after seven innings of play.

McMurry pushed another run across in the bottom of the eighth on an error in the outfield that scored Dylan DeLeon to cut the Buff advantage to 6-3 heading into the ninth.

Elliot Burrow (SR, Great Falls, Montana) drove in Elders in the top of the ninth on a fielding error by McMurry to extent the WT lead to 7-3.

Heath Baker (SR, Highland Village, Texas) led the Buffs at the plate, going 2-for 4 with one run scored, teammate Cody Wright (FR, Amarillo, Texas) was also impressive at the dish going 2-for-4 in his first collegiate game.

Brent Lewis (SR, White Settlement, Texas) saw two innings of work on the mound for WT, giving up one run on one hit while striking out four and walking two. Mike De Long (JR, Windsor, Ontario) finished off the game for WT on the hill, giving up one run on no hits in his one inning of work.

The Buffs travel to Hobbs, New Mexico on Feb. 10 as they are set to face off with University of the Southwest in doubleheader action; first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. CST. The home opener will come this weekend as WT hosts East Central for the Lone Star Conference opening weekend on Feb. 12-13 at The Dilla Villa in Amarillo.

SCHEDULE CHANGE NOTICE... The WT/University of the Southwest doubleheader that was originally scheduled for Feb. 9 has been moved to Feb. 10 due to poor field conditions stemming from inclement weather.