No. 8 Texas A&M uses six hurlers to one-hit Wagner in 21-2 beatdown

Game #7: No. 8 Texas A&M 21, Wagner 2
Records: Texas A&M (7-0), Wagner (0-6)
WP: Tanner Jones (1-0)
LP: Julian Taudin-Chabot (0-2)
Box Score

For the 900th time, Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle has won a college baseball game. 

“It just means I have been a part of three great institutions at UNLV, TCU and here,” Schlossnagle said of the accomplishment. “It’s cool, there's no doubt about it. It means you’ve been able to do this job for a while.” 

In a complete dismantling, the Aggies finished the weekend sweep of Wagner, winning 21-2 in seven innings on Sunday at Olsen Field. 

“The Aggies got better today, beyond just winning the game,” Schlossnagle said. “It’s good to really learn some good things about this pitching staff.” 

Like Friday’s victory over the Seahawks, the Aggie bats severely overpowered the visiting squad. 

Leading the way for the Aggies offense was first baseman Ryan Targac, who did not start in the Aggies’ last three games. Targac finished the day 3-for-5 with five RBIs.

This is an encouraging sign for Targac and the Aggies, as he came into the game batting 1-for-10 on the season.

“This is a talented team, and there’s going to be some positions where we ride some guys out and some other positions where we mix some guys in and try and lay the hot hand,” Schlossnagle said.

“Your class or jersey number doesn’t preclude you from having that happen to you, and Targac understands that.” 

The first hit for Targac was a massive shot over the right field wall for a two-run home run, putting the Aggies up 2-0 in the second inning. 

“My mentality was I'm just going to do damage and just get my swing off,” Targac said. “In order to hit, you got to swing it, so, that’s been my thought process going in.” 

In the fourth inning, Targac singled to left field, adding two more RBIs to his name. He finished his offensive attack in the fifth inning with a single up the middle, extending A&M’s lead to 14-2. 

The Aggies also benefitted from a good day at the plate for junior Braden Montgomery. Montgomery finished the day 2-for-4, including a solo home run to left field in the fifth inning. 

Due to the lopsided score, the Maroon & White got more hitters into the game to get some live at-bats. Freshmen Justin Vossos, Caden Sorrell, Jett Johnston and Jack Bell all had pinch-hit opportunities, along with junior Travis Chestnut. 

Vossos, Sorrell and Johsnton all recorded a hit, as well as Bell, who drove home two runs on his hit in the sixth inning. That concluded a seven-run sixth inning that saw the Aggie bats take over. 

Although it was not a shutout like the last two games, the Aggie pitching still showed dominance over the Seahawks. 

Kelii Horvath, TexAgs

Six Aggie pitchers combined for 13 Ks on Sunday. 

Jacksonville State transfer Tanner Jones got the start on the mound for the Aggies while under a pitch count after making his season debut due to what he described as a “lat” injury. 

“It felt great just to see a different face in the box,” Jones said. 

Jones worked two efficient innings, facing the minimum. 

“I didn’t want him to get up and down twice,” Schlossnagle said. “We were thinking 30-ish pitches.”

Jones only threw 21 in his two innings, so Schlossnagle sent him to the bullpen to throw some more and get him ready to throw around 30 to 45 pitches next week. 

In relief of Jones, Shane Sdao faced the minimum as well, as Sdao kept the Seahawks scoreless through four innings. 

A&M finished the job with relievers Brock Peery, Zane Badmaev and Josh Stewart, who pitched 2.2 innings and combined for no runs allowed on no hits, fanning five batters. 

Texas A&M is now 7-0 to start the 2024 season and will host Lamar on Tuesday at 6 p.m., with Chris Cortez getting the start.