The trajectory is looking up.
By taking two of three from Vanderbilt over the weekend, Texas A&M baseball has taken a modest two-spot jump in the latest D1Baseball rankings to No. 18.
Now 25-6 overall, the Aggies are one of four teams in the SEC with a winning conference record at 7-5. Further, they have won six of their last seven SEC games and have taken back-to-back series in the nation’s top college baseball league.
Led by one of the country’s top offenses, A&M has won eight of its last nine overall, and four of those victories have been shortened by the mercy rule. In 31 contests this spring, the Ags are averaging 9.97 runs per game, and in 12 conference games, that average sits at 9.83.
“It speaks to the character of the guys in the locker room, and they’re good players, and I think they understand,” A&M head coach Michael Earley said Friday. “You’re gonna have tough games. You’re gonna get whipped every now and then. You’re gonna be 0-for at the plate or not be good on the mound, but you gotta just continue to show up.
“This game is extremely unforgiving. If you let it beat you up in between the games, it’s gonna show up in the games. … They’re a tough group, and they’ve worked hard all year, so I was not surprised by their performance today at all.”
This week, the Maroon & White remained unbeaten in midweek action by flexing on Sam Houston with nine extra-base hits in a 16-2 victory on Tuesday.
Then, with Vanderbilt in town, A&M rebounded from a Thursday loss to sweep a Friday doubleheader and claim the best-of-three set at Blue Bell Park.
Across the four ballgames, always on-base Bear Harrison homered thrice, while last week’s SEC Player of the Week Gavin Grahovac, last week’s SEC Freshman of the Week Jorian Wilson and Perfect Game’s Midseason Freshman of the Year Nico Partida each hit a pair of home runs.
However, the star of the week was right-handed pitcher Aiden Sims, who spun a seven-inning complete game shutout in Friday’s nightcap to win the rubber match, 12-0. The sophomore from Forney allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out eight vs. Vanderbilt as only one Commodore reached third base.
While A&M’s offense has been consistently lethal, there is hope that Sims’ brilliance can reset an Aggie pitching staff that has scuffled through the first four weeks of conference play.
“They know we need them to be good,” Earley said. “I don’t think me necessarily screaming and yelling at them or things like that… I let the guys who do their job do their job, and they did.
“These guys want to win, and they know what to do. They just have to do it, and they did.”
If Friday can indeed serve as a launching point for the arms, look out.
Speaking of looking, all eyes will be on Aggieland this weekend.
After a Tuesday trip to San Marcos, the Maroon & White will host a three-game Lone Star Showdown at Blue Bell Park beginning on Friday night.
