A&M, LSU locked in for 1 vs. 2 series matchup
When the clock hits 6:30 in Baton Rouge on Thursday, the college baseball world will be watching.
Why? Because Texas A&M and LSU sit tied atop it.
In a first-place gridlock in the SEC West with identical 12-5 conference records, the two border and divisional rivals have jostled for position ever since the Aggies' red-hot start landed them in the top five. Following the previous week of action, nearly every major poll has the Tigers (34-6) No. 1 and Aggies (35-5) at No. 2, with A&M having held the top spot almost unanimously in the rankings' last iterations.
The Aggies still rank ahead of LSU in both the RPI (No. 4 vs. No. 8) and strength of schedule (91 vs. 118).
Currently A&M sits first in the country in team ERA and sixth in batting average; LSU is 28th and fourth, respectively. Now, they'll get a chance to settle which is better face-to-face.
Last season the Aggies and then-No. 5 Tigers played a classic of a series in College Station, where A&M — down 4-0 entering the bottom of the ninth in the Friday game — came from behind against elite LSU ace Aaron Nola and closer Joe Broussard to tie the game, then load the bases. Blake Allemand came to the plate with the winning run standing on third and drove a ball deep to left field ... and this happened.
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The Tigers scratched across a run in the top of the 10th and A&M loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame before ultimately falling, 5-4.
In the Saturday contest Daniel Mengden threw a complete game and Cole Lankford walked off with a bases-loaded single to give the Ags a 3-2 victory.
A&M then took the series on Sunday when Ronnie Gideon hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie. Andrew Vinson pitched the eighth and ninth innings to get the win in relief.
The series victory ultimately played a large role in the Aggies' eighth straight inclusion in the NCAA Tournament field.
The stakes, however, will be far higher this time around with the top ranking and potentially No. 1 national seed up for grabs between the country's two best records and the SEC's (to date) two best teams.
It all begins Thursday at Alex Box Stadium, 6:30 Central on ESPNU. Friday's game will be available on the SECN+ stream at 7:00 and the Saturday finale will be broadcast on ESPN at 1:00 pm.
Why? Because Texas A&M and LSU sit tied atop it.
In a first-place gridlock in the SEC West with identical 12-5 conference records, the two border and divisional rivals have jostled for position ever since the Aggies' red-hot start landed them in the top five. Following the previous week of action, nearly every major poll has the Tigers (34-6) No. 1 and Aggies (35-5) at No. 2, with A&M having held the top spot almost unanimously in the rankings' last iterations.
The Aggies still rank ahead of LSU in both the RPI (No. 4 vs. No. 8) and strength of schedule (91 vs. 118).
Currently A&M sits first in the country in team ERA and sixth in batting average; LSU is 28th and fourth, respectively. Now, they'll get a chance to settle which is better face-to-face.
Last season the Aggies and then-No. 5 Tigers played a classic of a series in College Station, where A&M — down 4-0 entering the bottom of the ninth in the Friday game — came from behind against elite LSU ace Aaron Nola and closer Joe Broussard to tie the game, then load the bases. Blake Allemand came to the plate with the winning run standing on third and drove a ball deep to left field ... and this happened.
" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560">
The Tigers scratched across a run in the top of the 10th and A&M loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame before ultimately falling, 5-4.
In the Saturday contest Daniel Mengden threw a complete game and Cole Lankford walked off with a bases-loaded single to give the Ags a 3-2 victory.
A&M then took the series on Sunday when Ronnie Gideon hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie. Andrew Vinson pitched the eighth and ninth innings to get the win in relief.
The series victory ultimately played a large role in the Aggies' eighth straight inclusion in the NCAA Tournament field.
The stakes, however, will be far higher this time around with the top ranking and potentially No. 1 national seed up for grabs between the country's two best records and the SEC's (to date) two best teams.
It all begins Thursday at Alex Box Stadium, 6:30 Central on ESPNU. Friday's game will be available on the SECN+ stream at 7:00 and the Saturday finale will be broadcast on ESPN at 1:00 pm.
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