Texas A&M Baseball: Aggies move into Top 10

Texas A&M baseball (27-10-1, 9-5-1 SEC) lost the midweek game against Texas State, but would bounce back to claim a very big series at home against Auburn.

Texas A&M baseball lost their first midweek game in almost a month when the Bobcats from San Marcos came to College Station. I actually told myself the day of the game, the Aggies would lose based on what happened to the pitching staff in game three of the LSU game.

Dustin Saenz would get the start after a fantastic outing in Austin against the Longhorns. However, this start would be a complete reversal with Saenz only recording one out while walking three, giving up two hits and allowing five runners to score (all earned).

The bullpen would blank Texas State the rest of the way only allowing four more hits over the final eight innings. At the plate, the Aggies got within two after scoring three in the fourth, but that would be all the scoring in the game with the Bobcats picking up a big road win (5-3).

Heading into the weekend series against Auburn, the Aggies needed to shake off two lackluster performances. The first game made everyone forget about the midweek game very quickly. Starter John Doxakis probably had his best outing of the year going eight innings allowing only 10 base runners while striking out six.

Bryce Miller would pitch the ninth striking out the side to close out the game. The offense was paced by Chandler Morris, Braden Shewmake and Mikey Hoehner. With Doxakis pitching the way he was, one run would be enough for the Aggies. A&M would score four times in the victory (4-0).

In game two, red hot Asa Lacy would get the start and give up more than one run for only the second time this season. He won that start against Vanderbilt, however, this time against Auburn would not go his way with the offense being shutout for the first time this season.

The crazy stat in the game was that Auburn scored more runs than the Aggies had hits. That’s not a recipe you want to see ever again. Auburn would win (7-0) the game to even the series and leave the Aggies concerned could they defend their turf knowing their third weekend starter has been a bit of a mystery the last few weeks.

In the rubber match, Christian Roa would get the start and pitch very well before giving way to Chris Weber. Overall, the pitching staff shook off what was a terrible game three against LSU with a very positive performance giving up only six hits and one run. Consistency will continue to be the name of the game as the competition continues to get stronger as the season goes along.

On offense, Logan Foster would deliver the big blow with a three-run homer in the fourth inning that would ultimately be final runs scored in the win (4-1). Hitting and the third weekend starter needs to continue to improve if the Aggies want to stay in the Top 10, but more importantly in the SEC west and overall race.

With those results, A&M moved up several spots in each poll.

• Perfect Game / Rawlings – up five spots to No. 8
• NCBWA – up three spots to No. 9
• Baseball America – up three spots to No. 11
• D1Baseball –  up three spots to No. 7
• Coaches – up three spots to No. 9
• Collegiate Baseball – up two spots to No. 10

This week, the Ags return back to Houston to face UH for the second time of the year. A&M beat Houston in game three of the Shriners College Classic. The SEC series this week will be in Columbia to face the South Carolina Gamecocks who have yet to win a conference series this year.

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