When Texas A&M's star outfielder Jace LaViolette took a fastball to his hand while at the plate yesterday against Auburn, fans of the maroon and white around the country collectively cringed. The sympathy pain was quickly replaced by another emotion, as the frustration and despondency of losing yet another heavy hitter to injury washed over Aggie fans everywhere.
It was confirmed afterwards to be a fracture in his ring finger, and he received treatment for it this morning. This seemed to be all but curtains for the all-time leader in home runs for the Aggies, and with the conclusion of the season looking imminent, most fans assumed his career in the maroon and white was over and done with.
However, facing elimination against LSU, LaViolette has made an unthinkable decision. After batting practice today, playing through some pain that has apparently not affected his swing, he decided to give it a go tonight against the Tigers.
Jace LaViolette playing through finger fracture showcases how this Texas A&M baseball team is holding nothing back
In the minds of Texas A&M fans, there was no way that LaViolette would give it a shot tonight. However, they apparently underestimated his heart and desire to win.
More: LaViolette took batting practice in the last hour, and the pain did cause some pain and discomfort but did not alter his swing.
— Ryan Brauninger (@R_Brauninger) May 23, 2025
He then went to Michael Earley and said he wanted to give it a go. https://t.co/CdpoDSFYDb
This is a man that loves his school, and with a season on the brink, he found it within himself to dig deep and go out there yet one more time.
I was able to get a quote from Jace LaViolette pregame.
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) May 23, 2025
When I asked him about being in the lineup and what it means to be there for his guys, he said:
“I’d run through a brick wall.”
First pitch vs LSU is at 6:45 p.m. CT
Talk about inspiring! This is truly unexpected in one sense, but given Jace's well-proven mentality, I guess fans should not have been so surprised.