No. 8 Ags complete Opening Weekend sweep with run-rule beatdown
Game #3: No. 8 Texas A&M 10, McNeese State 0 (7 innings)
Records: Texas A&M (3-0), McNeese State (0-3)
WP: Shane Sdao (1-0)
LP: Alexis Gravel (0-1)
Box Score
Seven-inning Sunday sweep.
After notching a pair of wins earlier this weekend, No. 8 Texas A&M closed out the opening series of 2024 with a sweep of McNeese State, run-ruling the Cowboys 10-0 in seven innings at Blue Bell Park.
For the second time over the weekend, A&M reached double-digits in runs and pitching held the Cowboys scoreless.
No time was wasted for the Maroon & White to set the tone.
It was none other than the power-hitting Jace LaViolette who got the scoring started for the Aggies, mashing a ball over the right field wall for a two-run home run in the first inning.
In just his third collegiate game, freshman Gavin Grahovac moved into the leadoff spot. However, it felt natural for Grahovac, who finished the game 3-for-3 with a pair of walks.
“Coach gave me the opportunity to get the guys rolling today, but I batted leadoff all throughout high school, so it was just another ball game,” Grahovac said.
Making the jump to the collegiate game, A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle was pleased with his performance.
“I thought Gavin did a good job of getting on base,” Schlossnagle said. “He had some really good takes where he didn't swing at those borderline pitches that are definitely balls.”
Grahovac put the Aggies up 3-0 in the second inning when he singled up the middle to score Ryan Targac.
“Gavin’s [Grahovac] a tough out,” said A&M starting pitcher Shane Sdao. “He’s a very good hitter. He’s very confident at the plate, and he doesn’t swing at balls. It’s very hard to get him to get out.”
As the Aggies got off to an early start offensively, their pitching continued to throw up zeros on the scoreboard. Sdao went through the first two innings without experiencing any trouble.
However, that would change in the third.
The Cowboys got a runner to third with two outs, and a line drive off the bat of Parker Stroh that was snared by shortstop Ali Camarillo’s leaping snag allowed Sdao to escape unscathed.
In the fourth, A&M dug itself into more trouble. With two outs, McNeese has two runners reach on a single and a walk, respectively.
Sdao responded by getting Braden Duhon to strike out swinging. He proceeded to throw another scoreless frame in the fifth, despite a leadoff single.
After five innings, Sdao’s afternoon was finished, and the Aggies turned to Luke Jackson in relief.
“The thing about Shane [Sdao] is when you get in those moments, he always makes the best pitches,” A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle said.
As Sdao battled through some jams, A&M’s continued to add to the lead, scoring runs in the fourth and fifth.
However, it was the seventh inning in which the Aggie bats truly came to life.
LaViolette increased his RBI total to four as he drove in a pair with a line-drive single to right field. For the second time in the game, Montgomery picked up an RBI on a groundout and extended the Aggie lead to 8-0.
Two batters later, the game came to a close when Hayden Schott doubled in LaViolette and later scored on Blake Binderup’s sacrifice fly.
The early conclusion of the game concluded a successful 3-0 opening weekend.
“The thing I liked the best was our pitching. We only gave up one run,” Schlossnagle said of the weekend. “I thought the crowd was awesome.”
Indeed, the Aggies outscored the Cowboys 31-1 over the three-game set. In 13.2 innings pitched, A&M starters did not allow a single run.
Sdao echoed Schlossnagle’s same sentiments about the crowd.
“I think one word could sum it all up. It was electric,” Sdao said. “It was so amazing all three games. All nine innings of every single game, it was just nonstop. They were in it all the time, and it was amazing.”
The Maroon & White will look to continue that success when Incarnate Word comes to College Station on Tuesday. Schlossnagle announced that Chris Cortez will start for A&M vs. the Cardinals.
First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CT at Olsen Field.
