Why Texas A&M baseball boasts a trump card over Tennessee in College World Series final
Texas A&M baseball's Evan Aschenbeck could be Aggies' trump card in difficult matchup with Tennessee
Tennessee and Texas A&M baseball each boast one of the most powerful lineups in college baseball when it comes to putting runs on the board. The Aggies and Volunteers have ridden the bats up until this point, and will doubtless be relying on big nights at the plate to keep pace with one another.
Of course, the Aggies are down one of their biggest hitters in Braden Montgomery. Though he had been in a slump near the end of the season (one that he appeared to be on his way out of, admittedly), the Stanford transfer was one of the most valuable players for this Aggie team without a doubt. Jace LaViolette has done what he can to pick up the slack, and others like Gavin Grahovac are beginning to round into form as well, but no Montgomery is a big hole for the Ags.
That may be a disadvantage for the Aggies when they face Tennessee, but the Aggies hold one very important card in this matchup that the Volunteers simply can't match; an ace in the hole that could prove to be the difference in this championship series. I am speaking, of course, of the Stopper of the Year: Evan Aschenbeck.
The nation's best relief pitcher is LHP Evan Aschenbeck of @AggieBaseball. Our 2024 Stopper of the Year leads the nation with a 1.66 ERA and has 72 strikeouts in 65 innings for the Aggies. https://t.co/IpP0z7iU0Y pic.twitter.com/FYbmBWEXTw
— NCBWA (@NCBWA) June 14, 2024
Maybe the biggest storyline this entire season for this Texas A&M baseball team has been the kid from Brenham and the stellar stuff he's put out the whole year. He is a true stopper; once he comes out onto the mound, it's more than likely curtains for the other team when it comes to putting up any more runs.
The kind of weapon he is cannot be overvalued in a matchup like this. Picture it: late in the game, Tennessee threatening while the Aggies hold a slim lead, and 53 comes into the game. Nothing could be more demoralizing for the Big Orange than to see him come out on the mound and mow down their lineup with precision.
I have more than a sneaking suspicion that the clutch play of Aschenbeck will help decide this series in a big way. Given what he's shown all year, I expect it to be in a manner that favors the Aggies.
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