Texas A&M Shocks Nation, Wins Series vs. No.1 Tennessee

@AggieBaseball

By Shelbie Warr

The opening game of this series on Friday went about how many expected it would for Texas A&M: a 10-0 no-hit run rule for Tennessee. It was rock bottom of the season for the Aggies. They hadn't been no-hit yet this season and to have that coupled with being run-ruled with Ryan Prager on the mound had to have hurt for the preseason No. 1 team that has been in free fall since losing to Cal Poly on Sunday, February 23. However, this time, they bounced back in a big way in Knoxville, with a sweep of Saturday's doubleheader.

The first game of the doubleheader saw the Aggies fall behind 1-0 early, a solo home run in the 1st. All signs pointed toward more heartbreak until Caden Sorrell stepped to the plate in the top of the 2nd and sent a ball into orbit to tie the game. Sorrell missed the first 25 games nursing a hamstring injury, but since returning to the lineup on March 29 against Kentucky, he has been a spark plug. His opposite-field home run proved to be a pivotal moment in getting this offense going in Knoxville.

Speaking of sparks, through, a sterling defensive play at the wall by freshman outfield phenom Terrence Kiel II kept the game at 2-2, sending shockwaves through the A&M dugout. The Tennessee team and fans both thought the ball was gone, the siren played, and the bat was flipped toward the home dugout, firing everyone in orange up, only for Keil II to throw it back in to the pitcher after a spectacular home run-robbing grab.

Red-hot catcher Bear Harrison gave the Aggies the lead with a homer of his own in the 4th, and A&M didn't look back. Jace LaViolette added a two-run shot of his own in the 5th, Sorrell hit his second of the game in the 7th, and there were other big hits and plays from guys like the aforementioned Kiel II, Hayden Schott, and Wyatt Henseler.

In the end, the Aggies handed Tennnessee's Marcus Phillips his first loss of the season, Justin Lamkin grabbed a win, and Weston Moss was lights out once again for a save, as Texas A&M won the first game of the doubleheader, 9-3.

Moss has stepped up in a big way for the Aggies, especially in the absence of Josh Stewart, whose knee injury is now considered season-ending. Look for him to continue to get the ball in high-leverage situations, because he has proven to be trustworthy and to have the stuff to get the job done.

A win was great for Texas A&M, especially on the road against the No.1 team in the country in a rematch of last year's CWS final, but the Aggies weren't done yet. It would seem that the doubleheader was the best thing to happen to this team because the offensive firepower didn't stop there.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Aggies jumped out to a 3-0 lead courtesy of catcher Bear Harrison hitting yet another big-time home run. This home run kicked off a party in which Texas A&M never looked back. The Aggies would club a team-record 7 home runs in this one, with Ben Royo hitting 2, Wyatt Hensler hitting 2, and Caden Sorrell and Kaeden Kent each adding one.

Hayden Schott- who is still nursing that knee injury- delivered the knockout blow in the eighth though, with a two-run single that would put the Aggies up 10 and lead to a shutdown inning by Kaiden Wilson for an Aggie run rule. The team was pumped up in the dugout from start to finish, which is a welcome sight for the Texas A&M faithful who have watched this team look absolutely defeated almost every game.

What's Coming Next?

Texas A&M will face off against Sam Houston on the road in Huntsville on Tuesday night starting at 6 pm CT. They will then welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks to Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park for a Thursday (7 pm CT), Friday (6 pm CT), Saturday (2 pm CT) series.

If this team wants to stay in the race for a regional spot, they need to come out of this week with a win over Sam Houston and at least two over South Carolina, especially with the upcoming tough road series at Arkansas, Texas, and Georgia.

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