Texas A&M Baseball: Aggies Take on LSU in Biggest Series of the Season

Fresh off a two game winning streak, Texas A&M baseball is off to Baton Rouge for a potential season-defining series against the LSU Tigers.

It wouldn’t be hyperbolic to label the Aggies’ upcoming road series against LSU the biggest series of the season. Texas A&M is 1-5 in conference play with a three game set against the No. 6 team in the nation. While dropping any road series in the SEC is understandable, the Ags simply do not have the margin of error to stumble again this weekend.

Texas A&M was swept at home by Kentucky and dropped their last weekend series to Vanderbilt. That included a Saturday affair in which they were blasted 17-3. If they fail to win the series against the Tigers, they’ll have at best a 2-7 record in conference. Ouch. At that point the post season is up for debate, forget about the regional host conversation

Since the Aggies joined the SEC they have split the 12 games played with the Tigers, with each club owning six victories. That tie will be broken by Saturday night. So what is it going to take to steal this series?

1. Call an Your Ace an Ace

Brigham Hill didn’t allow his first earned run of the season until his fourth start. Since a shut-down performance in the Shriner’s Classic against Texans Tech, the Aggies Friday might guy has been scuffling. Hill has allowed 13 runs in his last three starts (16.1 innings pitched). Those spotty results came against Brown, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt none of which have the offensive firepower of LSU. I’m not saying Thursday is a must-win, but it’s pretty darn close.

2. Get Timely Hitting

Trailing Texas State with two outs in the sixth inning, the Aggies were able to string together a couple of hits to break the game open and retake the lead. This team is capable of getting the big hit when they need it, they just haven’t done it much lately. Alex Lange and Jared Poche aren’t going to give them many chances. That makes it’s especially critical that they capitalize in those clutch situations this weekend.

3. Mitigate Bullpen Blowups

Battered Aggie Syndrome will keep the TCU and Baylor losses in the heads of Aggie fans for a long time. The team can’t afford to hold on to those defeats, particularly the pitching staff. Corbin Martin, Kaylor Chafin, and Landon Miner have all shown sparks but none have sustained the type of dominating performance that Rob Childress’ coached staffs have had in years past. If the offense can get this team a lead, they’re going to have to make pitches in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game on the line.

Probable Pitching Matchups

Thursday

Brigham Hill (Jr., RHP, 4-2, 3.16 ERA) vs. Alex Lange (Jr., RHP, 3-2, 4.09 ERA)

Friday

Stephen Kolek (So., RHP, 1-1, 5.23 ERA) vs. Jared Poche` (Sr., LHP, 5-1, 0.90 ERA)

Saturday

Corbin Martin (Jr., RHP, 2-2, 4.07 ERA) vs. Eric Walker (Fr., RHP, 3-0, 3.69 ERA)

TV Schedule and Game Times

All Games will be available via ESPN3, but they will all be hosted by an ESPN affiliate as well. Tune your radio dial to 1150 AM or 102.7 FM.

Thursday

First pitch at 6:02 p.m. CT
Watch: SEC Network

Friday

First pitch at 8:02 p.m. CT
Watch: ESPNU

Saturday

First pitch at 2:32 p.m.
Watch: ESPN2

Next: Grading the Batting Order in Non-Conference Play

It will be hard not to overreact to the outcome of this series, because it really is that important. One way or another, Aggie fans are going to learn about a lot about their team this week. BTHO LSU.

***Stats from 12thMan.com, SECSports.com***