Texas A&M is in the driver’s seat to win the Bryan-College Station Regional, but 2-0 status did not come easy. The Aggies needed extra innings to top Texas on Saturday night.
The Longhorns were the “home” team Saturday at Blue Bell Park thanks to the quirks of the NCAA Tournament. UT jumped out to a 1-0 lead in its first at-bat when Jared Thomas hit a solo home run to left-center
The Aggies evened it up in the top of the 5th inning with a Caden Sorrell solo homer to left.
The game’s third run would also come on a solo homer. Kimble Schuessler put the Horns back in front 2-1 with a blast to left field in the bottom of the 6th.
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That would be the end of Texas’ offensive output. The Aggies would score the next 3 runs.
Braden Montgomery crossed the plate in the 8th inning on a throwing error, tying the game 2-2. After 9 innings, the game remained tied, sending it to extras.
Texas A&M grabbed the lead on a 2-out infield single from Ted Burton. A wild pitch with Hayden Schott at the plate allowed Jace LaViolette to score, making it 4-2.
Over 11 innings, Texas A&M needed only two arms on the mound.
Starter Ryan Prager pitched into the 7th inning, allowing 2 earned runs on 4 runs over 87 pitches in 6.1 innings, striking out 7 and walking 4.
In the 7th, the Aggies turned Evan Aschenbeck. Texas did not record a hit against Aschenbeck. Over 4.2 no-hit, scoreless innings, Aschenbeck walked only 1 to face 15 batters in the winner’s bracket game.
Texas A&M will face the winner of the 3 p.m. ET Louisiana-Texas elimination game in the regional final at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). The Aggies need just one more victory to advance to a Bryan-College Station Super Regional.