For the first time in Michael Earley’s tenure as the head coach of Texas A&M baseball, there will be a new starting pitcher in the rotation for this weekend’s massive road series against Ole Miss.
Earley announced a switch in the starting rotation this week, with left-hander Shane Sdao taking on a new role for the Maroon and White. The change is a result of some tough starts from Sdao on the bump in recent weeks, including allowing four hits and six earned runs in just 1.0 inning of work in Texas A&M’s 18-5 loss to Auburn in the series opener.
For this weekend’s series against the Rebels, Earley announced Ethan Darden will start for the Aggies on Friday, with Aiden Sims slated to start on Saturday. The starter for Sunday is currently unknown, but Weston Moss has been the go-to starter for Texas A&M’s series finale throughout this year’s campaign.
Texas A&M sportswriter Travis L. Brown shared Earley’s comments on the switch-up with the rotation and Sdao’s new role in the Aggie bullpen.
The redshirt junior from Montgomery, Texas, boasts a 6.55 ERA and 67 strikeouts so far this season, while allowing 75 total hits and walking 15 batters. He ranks last in the SEC in ERA during conference contests at 9.74 and in WHIP at 2.16. According to Earley, the move was to allow Sdao to find his groove and gain some confidence after inconsistent starts.
Meanwhile, Darden will aim to begin his new role as the Friday starter on the right foot against Ole Miss. Entering the weekend, the Rock Hill, S.C., native has notched a 2.88 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 2026. Sims owns a 3.60 ERA and an 8-1 record for the Aggies.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M HC explains change in pitching rotation for Ole Miss series
Reporting by Dylan Flippo, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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