Tyler Time: Stubblefield returns as Aggies' clutch weapon

Tyler Stubblefield.

Many years from now, when Aggies get together and reflect on the good old days following the Texas A&M baseball program, somewhere in the conversation Stubblefield's name will come up and he will be remembered for his postseason heroics on the mound.

In 2014 Stubblefield came out of nowhere to toss a complete-game gem and beat Texas in the Houston Regional, helping the Aggies advance to the final. How could we ever forget the ‘Horns Down’ signal with his pitching hand immediately after recording the 27th out?

Then there was Sunday night at Olsen Field, where Stubblefield — who tore his left ACL during preseason drills — made his first start of the season, far ahead of schedule. The sophomore left-hander tossed five innings, allowing just one run and helping A&M reach the College Station Regional final with a 4-3 win over Cal in 12 innings.

Unlike last year, the Aggies won in Monday evening’s final to advance to Super Regional play.

“I’m glad to be back with my team behind me,” Stubblefield told reporters this week as the team prepares for this weekend’s super regional series at TCU. “They give me great confidence in coming back (from the injury).”

The feeling, his teammates insist, is mutual.

“Tyler was gutsy (against Cal),” A&M catcher Michael Barash said. “As the game went on, his stuff kept getting better. For him to come back and do what he did was simply amazing. Once he got comfortable with his fastball, he was dangerous. I can’t wait to have him back on the mound (again). I love catching for him.”

Texas A&M head coach Rob Childress has been extremely impressed with Stubblefield’s work ethic and ability to make it back and help his team win when it matters most.

“Tyler worked extremely hard to get back on the field,” Childress said. “His willingness to give up a year of eligibility just shows you how much he cares about his team. For him to give us five innings was very special. It paid off in the regional.”

Stubblefield struggled in the first inning of Sunday’s start against Cal and his left knee — on which he wears a bulky brace for stability — was put to the test early by the Golden Bears’ small ball approach.

“I had to get that first inning out of the way, but after that I felt very comfortable,” Stubblefield said. “They tried to test me with some bunts, but I’ve been working hard in rehab and fielding bunts. If they want to give me a bunt, then thanks. That’s a free out.”

Confidence is not lacking with the Lufkin product. It has exuded from him since the days following his knee injury just a few weeks before the start of the ’15 season.

Slated by many to be A&M’s Friday night starter on the mound, Stubblefield tore the ligament while attempting to field a ground ball near the mound during a Saturday scrimmage on January 24. At that point, many believed his season was over.

Not Tyler.

“In the middle of rehab, I told my (trainers), ‘I think I’m going to come back.’ They laughed but told me that if I worked hard, I could come back,” Stubblefield said. “They checked me out. (The doctors) were really impressed with how I was sprinting and how quickly I came along.”

Stubblefield's return surprised many, but the results did not.

“We figured we weren’t going to get Tyler back, even though he told us he’d make it,” said temmate Matt Kent. “He’s a great competitor on the mound, and watching him go through that process makes me so proud of him. You saw it when he pitched in the regional. He got it done.

"He went out there and proved to everyone that he was ready to go.”

Despite making it back onto the mound in a real baseball game in less than four months, the road was not all smooth-sailing for Stubblefield; there were many significant challenges along the way.

“Right out of surgery, you have to learn how to use your leg again,” he said. “Sitting in the hospital bed and at home … not being able to move for three weeks with that big brace on my knee makes you wonder, ‘Wow, am I really going to make it back?’”

Stubblefield credits faith and a strong support system inside the Texas A&M clubhouse for helping him fight through the rigorous rehab process and make it back to help the Aggies down the stretch.

“My teammates had my back and pushed me to get back on the field,” Stubblefield said. “We’re like brothers, and they provided plenty of encouragement. All glory to God … I just fought and fought.”

At last, Stubblefield’s effort and intensity during the grueling rehab process paid off on May 16 when he took the ball and tossed 15 pitches in 0.2 relief innings in the regular-season finale at Ole Miss.

“That first time back on the mound was thrilling,” Stubblefield said. “I just wanted to show everyone what I had. It’s just baseball. I’ve played it since I was a little kid and being back was exciting.”

Exactly one week later, he tossed 1.1 innings in a 12-3 loss to Vanderbilt, allowing three earned runs and throwing 32 pitches.

But with the season on the line heading into the elimination final on Sunday, Childress turned to Stubblefield in just his third appearance of the season.

“I was hoping we would get three innings out of him and just get us off to a solid start,” Childress said. “Far and away, he exceeded those expectations.”

In part because of Stubblefield’s gutsy performance against Cal, the Aggies are still playing baseball as the Super Regional round begins this weekend.

Texas A&M and TCU face off Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1:15 p.m. The if-necessary game is scheduled for Monday at a time that has not yet been announced.

Who knows? Maybe Stubblefield takes the ball on Monday if the series gets to that point and helps the Aggies punch that elusive ticket to the College World Series. Maybe he becomes the missing piece to the 2015 puzzle and the key ingredient that helps A&M make a run in Omaha and go farther than it has ever gone in the CWS.

Maybe he doesn’t. Maybe Stubblefield’s comeback culminated in Sunday night’s win. Maybe next week he'll be selected as a 21-year-old sophomore in the MLB Draft and decide his college days are over.

Whether Stubblefield’s days are numbered as he ponders what will likely be an intriguing pro baseball offer, or whether he sticks around and becomes the next elite A&M pitcher to work under the watchful eye Childress, what he did in back-to-back seasons in regional elimination games has already secured 'folk hero' status among A&M faithful.

And his accomplishments won’t soon be forgotten by those who follow this program closely.