Texas A&M baseball avoided a late comeback effort to secure a 9-8 upset victory over No. 2 Texas in Game 1 of the Lone Star Showdown at Blue Bell Park in Bryan-College Station on Friday night.
While the Aggie pitching rotation allowed eight runs on 10 hits, it was a much-improved overall performance on the mound against one of the most powerful lineups in the Southeastern Conference. Left-hander Shane Sdao got the start for Texas A&M and he made the most of it with six strikeouts, five hits and four earned runs through 4.0 innings of work.
Texas A&M and Texas continued to trade blows with a back-and-forth chess match at the plate, as the in-state rivals took turns with the lead up until the sixth inning. Like he has done all season, Gavin Grahovac came through for the Aggies with a sac-fly for a 7-6 lead entering the seventh inning. From there, Texas A&M had some impressive plate discipline to plate two more runs.
Texas outfielder Aiden Robbins notched his second home run of the contest in the top of the ninth and Anthony Pack Jr. followed him with a solo shot to close the gap to just one run, but Clayton Freshcorn forced a pop-up behind shortstop to end the game and secure the win over the Longhorns.
Matched up against the SEC’s leading club in ERA so far this season, Texas A&M had one of its most impressive performances at the plate. While the Aggies only recorded seven hits, their timely hitting and plate approaches against a talented pitching staff ultimately led to the upset win over the Longhorns.
The Aggies will need another outstanding outing from the bullpen to defeat Texas, however. Texas A&M has struggled mightily to get longer performances from its starters, but right-hander Aiden Sims has the chance to right the ship and keep the dangerous Longhorn lineup at bay.
Next up, Texas A&M is faced with an opportunity to take the series against Texas on Saturday, as the Aggies face the Longhorns in Game 2 of the Lone Star Showdown. First pitch from Blue Bell Park is slated for 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
FINAL: Texas A&M 9, Texas 8
The Aggies avoid a late scare from the Longhorns to close the game with a 9-8 victory in Game 1 of the Lone Star Showdown. Grahovac led the way at the plate with another impressive outing, which included a double, triple and two RBI. Sorrell also recorded two RBI and Partida had the lone home run of the contest for the Maroon and White. Darden received the win and Freshcorn got the save for the Aggies, but Sdao had one of his better outings of the year against a powerful Texas lineup. Texas A&M returns for Game 2 against Texas tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT.
T9: Texas A&M 9, Texas 8
Back-to-back homers close the lead to just one run for the Aggies in the ninth.
T9: Texas A&M 9, Texas 7
Robbins records his second home run of the contest with one out in the inning to cut the lead down to just two runs.
End of 8th: Texas A&M 9, Texas 6
An error plates another run for the Aggies. Texas A&M enters the final inning with a three-run lead and all the momentum.
End of T8: Texas A&M 8, Texas 6
Nothing going for the Longhorns at the top of the eighth. Texas A&M is three outs away from securing the victory over Texas in Game 1.
End of 7th: Texas A&M 8, Texas 6
The Aggies add one more run to their lead entering the eighth inning. Six more outs for Texas A&M to secure Game 1 against Texas.
B7: Texas A&M 8, Texas 6
Wilson’s sac-fly scores a run for Texas A&M to extend the lead in the seventh.
B7: Texas A&M 7, Texas 6
After keeping the Longhorns at bay in the top of the seventh, the Aggies are threatening to add to their lead in the bottom half of the inning with the bases loaded and just one out. Walker comes into the game in relief of Crossland.
End of 6th: Texas A&M 7, Texas 6
Another RBI walk from Kellner and Grahovac’s sac-fly helps Texas A&M take back the lead entering the seventh.
B6: Texas A&M 5, Texas 6
Harrison walks in a run and the bases remain loaded with just one out in the inning. Crossland will take the bump for the Longhorns to replace Leffew.
End of T6: Texas A&M 4, Texas 6
Tinney’s two-run homer gives Texas a two-run lead entering the bottom of the sixth.
End of 5th: Texas A&M 4, Texas 4
Texas A&M ties the game at four apiece following Grahovac’s one-out triple and another RBI from Sorrell.
B5: Texas A&M 4, Texas 4
Sorrell gets the job done again with an RBI groundout that scored Grahovac from third.
B5: Texas A&M 3, Texas 4
Grahovac’s one-out triple has the Aggies in position to tie the game in the fifth.
End of T5: Texas A&M 3, Texas 4
The Aggies escaped the inning, but the Longhorns did damage with a two-run homer to take the lead.
T5: Texas A&M 3, Texas 4
Ethan Darden will enter the game on the mound to replace Sdao, who recorded six strikeouts and allowed five hits and four earned runs through 4.0 innings of work.
T5: Texas A&M 3, Texas 4
Robbins’ two-run blast to right field gives Texas a one-run lead in the top of the fifth with no outs in the inning.
B4: Texas A&M 3, Texas 2
Partida’s solo home run takes the lead back for the Aggies.
T4: Texas A&M 2, Texas 2
Livingston’s RBI double has tied the game with two outs.
End of B3: Texas A&M 2, Texas 1
The Aggies take the lead away from the Longhorns, following Duer’s triple and Grahovac’s double. Sorrell came in clutch with the RBI groundout to take the lead.
B3: Texas A&M 2, Texas 1
Sorrell’s groundout works to perfection to score Grahovac from third after a passed ball advanced him from second base. The Aggies take the lead over the Longhorns, 2-1, with two outs.
B3: Texas A&M 1, Texas 1
Kellner’s lead-off triple is followed by Grahovac’s RBI double to left-center field and we are tied at one apiece in the third.
End of T3: Texas A&M 0, Texas 1
Robbins’ RBI single is the only damage in the inning, as the Longhorns leave two runners stranded and Sdao bounces back nicely on the mound for the Aggies.
T3: Texas A&M 0, Texas 1
The Longhorns strike first with Robbins’ RBI single to center field.
End of B3: Texas A&M 0, Texas 0
Duer secured the Aggies’ first hit of the contest to lead off the inning. Partida walked to put two runners on base with no outs, but Texas bounced back to shut down the threat and end the inning.
End of T2: Texas A&M 0, Texas 0
Sdao stays hot on the mound with his third strikeout of the contest. Becerra secures a single for the Longhorns, but Larson and Duplantier fly out and foul out to end the inning. Headed to the bottom half of the second, the Aggies and Longhorns remain scoreless.
End of B1: Texas A&M 0, Texas 0
Texas A&M goes down in order in the home-half of the first. Nothing going for either club through one, as we remain scoreless at Blue Bell Park.
End of T1: Texas A&M 0, Texas 0
The Longhorns leave a runner stranded in the first, as Sdao closes out the inning with two strikeouts. Texas A&M’s first chance at the plate is coming up.
Starting lineups
Texas A&M
Texas
Game schedule
Game 1 – April 10 at 7 p.m. CT
Game 2 – April 11 at 2 p.m. CT
Game 3 – April 12 at 1 p.m. CT
Ways to follow the series
TV/Streaming: ESPN2 & SEC Network+ / ESPN App
Radio: Locally Sports Radio 1150/93.7 The Zone
Social: Follow the @AggiesBaseball on X for updates
Internet: 12thMan.com / 12th Man Mobile app for live play-by-play
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M holds on for 9-8 upset win over No. 2 Texas in Game 1
Reporting by Dylan Flippo, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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