 "Photo: File Photo")
Sophomore Nick Fleece needed one official visit to decide where he wanted to play college baseball.
When Fleece visited the Texas A&M campus on his first recruiting trip, he immediately committed to play for the Aggies.
"A&M was the first official I went on," Fleece said. "I loved the campus and loved everything the school was about, so I actually committed on my visit."
Fleece was a three-year, two-way starter at Boswell High School, helping to lead the Pioneers to two playoff appearances. Sophomore of the Year, Pitcher of the Year,and Most Valuable Player during his three seasons, Fleece was a force on the mound and at the plate.
During his senior season, Fleece batted .515 with 15 homeruns and was rated the No. 15 prospect in Texas by Baseball America. When A&M Head Coach Rob Childress recruited Fleece to A&M, it was for his bat though pitching was still an option.
As a freshman, Fleece appeared in 27 games, playing outfield and designated hitter, but never as a pitcher. Fleece had 52 at bats and piled up 10 RBIs and two home runs while hitting .231. When the season began, Fleece was competing for third base and outfielder for games when sophomore Brooks Raley pitched.
On Feb. 22, against Wright State, Fleece made his first appearance for the Aggies. Fleece threw 0.2 of an inning, facing four batters and striking out one. During the first 15 games of the season, Fleece appeared in two games, combining for a total of one complete inning pitched.
In the second half of the season, Fleece's presence on the mound has become more regular. Fleece has appeared in eight of the previous 14 games. During the week of March 24 through March 31, Fleece appeared in four games, picking up two wins and two saves for the Aggies.
For his performance, Fleece was awarded the Phillips 66 Co-Big 12 Pitcher of the Week and was named CollegeBaseballInsider.com National Player of the Week.
"I was not expecting that at all," Fleece said. "It was awesome to receive them and I felt really good about it. I have been doing good lately so I guess we are just going to roll with it."
Childress credited the Aggies' success to Fleece's performance. Childress said Fleece was a well deserving candidate of the awards he was presented this week.
"Being able to rely on him to close the door for us at the end of the game has been special," Childress said. "Anytime you figure in all four wins in a week, [awards are] well deserved."
Fleece and the Aggies will look to extend their six-game win streak when they continue Big 12 play against Texas Tech. A&M takes a 6-3 conference record into the series, second behind Oklahoma.
"They are a young, talented group and I think we will have our hands full this weekend," Childress said. "Their overall record is not that impressive but they managed to win a series at home and take a game from Texas in their last series."
For the Aggies to extend their win streak, Childress said they need to continue perfecting the small things.
"This weekend is going to be a tough test, but what we have done these last six games is taken care of the small things," Childress said.
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