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Texas A&M Super Regional Preview and players to watch

By Matthew McNairy

Jun 28, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; General view of the game between the Arizona Wildcats and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in game two of the College World Series championship series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; General view of the game between the Arizona Wildcats and Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in game two of the College World Series championship series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aggie pitching

The Aggie staff had the best ERA in SEC play with a 3.41 ERA. That’s even more impressive when nearly seven of the eight SEC postseason teams made it to the Super Regionals. Friday’s starter Brigham Hill (3.29 ERA/3.64 conference ERA) has had an up and down year. In two of his last three starts, he has given up at least four runs.

Up next is Corbin Martin who has excelled recently, having thrown 21 strikeouts against three balls in his last two starts. If a Sunday game is necessary, Stephen Kolek will take the mound. He has been a second half revelation. Kolek picked up more than three strikeouts once before April. Since then he’s notched at least seven strikeouts in six of his eight starts.

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From the bullpen side, Kaylor Chafin has had a dominant stretch. He gave up only two runs between April 1 and May 20. Though he struggled in the SEC tournament against Mizzou, he had a strong rebound against Mizzou, giving up only one run in 4.1 innings.

Aggie batting

The Aggie offense finished in the middle of the road in the SEC in most of the statistical categories. Braden Shewmake is far and away their best player with a .333 average, 11 home runs and 67 RBI. If the Aggies are to beat Davidson and win in Omaha, they will have to get more production from other bats as only George Janca had as many as half or more of Shewmake’s RBI total in conference play.

Nick Choruby needs to continue his strong play from regionals (6-12, 3 RBI) to give Shewmake a runner on base when he steps up to bat. In addition to Choruby, I expect to see strong performances from Blake Kopetsky (4-11, 2RBI in the Houston regional) and Austin Homan. Those guys, along with the other seniors, will be playing their last games in front of the Olsen faithful.

Next: Which schools make the most sense for SEC expansion?

Projection

Aggie pitching and timely hitting results in a clean sweep of the Wildcats at Olsen Field. Omaha here we come! Gig’em. BTHO Davidson.