Can you hear it? Off in the distance?
“...ai-den sims... ai-den sims...”
The chants weren’t so faint on Friday night as Section 203 serenaded Texas A&M right-handed pitcher Aiden Sims following his series-clinching complete game shutout vs. Vanderbilt at Blue Bell Park.
Apparently, those chants were loud enough that Birmingham heard them, as Sims has been named the Southeastern Conference’s Pitcher of the Week.
“It’s unbelievable,” the Forney native said on Friday. “I couldn’t thank them enough. They’re the best fans in the country, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Through 30 games, Aggie pitching was the cause of much trepidation.
During A&M’s 12-0 run-rule, Sims was the cause of a loud celebration.
While the offense did its thing, the sophomore spun seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out three.
“Just can’t say enough good things about him,” A&M head coach Michael Earley said. “I’m extremely happy he’s on our team. That guy’s a freakin’ competitor. Ultimate competitor. What a job by him today. Just really luck to have him, and he’s been great all year.”
Only one Commodore reached third vs. Sims. Needing 117 total pitches, he struck out the side to end his dazzling night.
In eight starts in 2026, Sims is 6-0 with a 3.32 ERA. He has struck out 48 while walking just 13 for a club-leading 1.04 WHIP.
“I felt the same out there,” Sims said. “I knew kind of what was going on in the back of my mind, but I knew I had to go out there and throw strike one.
“It was just go out there and play our brand of baseball, do what we do, and we know that we’d be fine if we just three strike one and commanded the zone.”
This is the first SEC weekly accolade of Sims’ career, and he becomes the first A&M arm to earn SEC Pitcher of the Week honors since Justin Lamkin was recognized for his May 16, 2025, complete-game shutout at Georgia.
Sims is the fourth different Aggie to be recognized by the league this year, joining Caden Sorrell, Gavin Grahovac and Jorian Wilson.
“AI-DEN SIMS!”
“AI-DEN SIMS!”
“AI-DEN SIMS!”
