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Texas A&M baseball team wins season opener
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Schedule: Complete 2007 Texas A&M Baseball schedule

By RICHARD CROOME
Eagle Staff Writer

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Buy this photo Eagle Photo/Butch Ireland A&M's baseball team sings The Aggie War Hymn at Olsen Field on Tuesday at their season opener.

Most of the early-season talk surrounding Texas A&M baseball has been about the newcomers. A few of the veterans made sure they weren't forgotten in the Aggies' opener, playing a big part in a 9-1 victory Tuesday over Texas Southern at Olsen Field.

Blake Stouffer scored his first three times up. Luke Anders lined a run-scoring triple, while the catching combination of Craig and Josh Stinson had two hits in three at bats. And four of A&M's veteran pitchers held the Jaguars in check.

"It's good to get that first one out of the way," A&M coach Rob Childress said. "We didn't play scared at all. I thought our energy level was good for five innings, and then we lost it for a little bit."

Senior left-hander Jason Meyer earned the win, giving up a leadoff single and striking out two while throwing two shutout innings.

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Buy this photo Eagle Photo/Butch Ireland A&M pitcher Jason Meyer threw the first two innings to earn the victory.

Kyle Nicholson and Kyle Thebeau followed with three combined innings of shutout ball. They each had two strikeouts and a walk.

In all, the Aggies struck out 14 while walking nine and hitting a batter.

"The seniors got us off to a good start and allowed us to get the lead," Childress said of his pitchers. "[The relievers] have shown no signs of not being strike throwers. I feel like they are going to bounce back now [that] they've got the first one out of the way."

Jordan Chambless replaced Kiel Renfro in the sixth inning and ended any hopes the Jaguars had of making a comeback after falling behind 7-0.

Chambless came out of the bullpen with one out, the bases loaded and a 2-0 count on pinch-hitter Blaze Hinojosa. Chambless threw two balls, which forced in a run, but struck out the next two hitters to end the threat.

"That was good for two people, the coaching staff and for Jordan," Childress said. "I felt like he was throwing maybe harder than I've ever seen him throw, and he's going to be a guy we count on. He got us out of a jam and didn't let them think they could get back in the game."

Chambless returned in the seventh to strike out the side.

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Buy this photo Eagle Photo/Butch Ireland Texas A&M's Kyle Colligan (right) collides with Texas Southern's Danny Wansley as Colligan steals second base in the Aggies' 9-1 win Tuesday afternoon at Olsen Field.

"I thought I was only going to throw one inning today, but [Renfro] got in trouble and I had to come in," said Chambless, who until this season had also played on the football team. "Throwing in the offseason and getting my arm stronger for the spring, just being around and throwing the baseball all year, I really think has helped my velocity."

The Aggies also got plenty of production from the newcomers on the offensive side.

Shortstop Brandon Hicks scored three runs and had two RBIs, and first baseman Darby Brown knocked in two runs. Brian Ruggiano went 2 for 2 and capped A&M's nine-hit attack with a solo homer in the eighth.

"It was a hanging changeup, and I was looking for it too with two strikes," Ruggiano said. "I got a hold of it and just carried it."

NOTES - A&M has won seven season-openers in a row. ... It took A&M four games to hit its first home run last season. It took the Aggies 16 games before they hit a home run at home. ... A&M had eight stolen bases, three each by Stouffer and Hicks. ... Ten Aggies reached base, with eight either scoring or knocking in a run.