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Texas A&M Baseball: Previewing the 2018 schedule

By Tim England

Omaha, NE - JUNE 26: The Florida Gators take batting practice prior to game one of the College World Series Championship Series against the LSU Tigers on June 26, 2017 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Omaha, NE - JUNE 26: The Florida Gators take batting practice prior to game one of the College World Series Championship Series against the LSU Tigers on June 26, 2017 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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Texas A&M baseball hopes to make a return to the College World Series. Here’s the road they’ll have to take to Omaha in 2018.

It’s almost baseball time in College Station

No. 11 Texas A&M Baseball returns to Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park in two weeks time, opening the season on Friday, Feb.16 with a home series against Rhode Island. After going from one of the “Last 4” teams into the NCAA Tournament all the way to Omaha, the Aggies look to build off a very successful 2017 campaign.

Over the off-season many polls have taken notice and the expectations are very high for Texas A&M. Most notably, D1 Baseball Pre-Season Rankings have ranked the Aggies No. 10 in the nation while USA Today Coaches Poll has Texas A&M at No. 11.

As for the Aggies schedule, the schedule is not only full of great matchups but is also extremely favorable towards Texas A&M. The Aggies begin their season Feb. 16 and will not play in another ballpark until Mar. 2. 36 of the 56 regular season game will be played in College Station where the Aggies are 93-25 over the past three years.

The first nine games will take place at Olsen Field after which the Aggies will head to Frisco, TX for the Frisco College Baseball Classic. Texas A&M will play another five games in College Station before SEC play begins with a road trip to Auburn on Mar. 16.

The Aggies will welcome both LSU and Florida, participants of the College World Series Championship to Olsen Field this year Finally, most eyes look forward to Tuesday, Apr. 10 where Texas A&M will welcome back the Texas Longhorns to Olsen Field.

Non-Conference Series: Rhode Island, Cornell, Long Beach St

Rhode Island gets the unfortunate experience of being the Opening Day opponent for Texas A&M. Over the past three years, the Aggies have gone 9-0 over Opening Weekend and outscored opponents by a combined 119-28. Cornell is entering their third year under Coach Dan Pepicelli after going 21-17 last year. The Big Red have not seen the NCAA Tournament since 2012 when they were eliminated in two games.

Long Beach State, on the other hand, had one of the most successful seasons in recent memory last year. After going 20-4 in Big West Conference play, the Dirtbags hosted both a Regional and Super Regional before being eliminated by Cal State Fullerton. This should be some great early competition for Texas A&M when they welcome Long Beach State to Olsen Field on Mar. 9.