As the kids these days say, Texas A&M pitcher Troy Wansing is indeed “him!” The No. 10 Aggies baseball team defeated No. 7 Tennessee 3-0 in the opening of the SEC Tournament on Tuesday afternoon.
The Aggies staved off elimination and extended their season for another day, mainly due to the heroics of Wansing, who pitched an absolute gem on the mound. In 8.0 innings of work, the Southpaw put together a near-perfect game, striking out seven batters while allowing just one hit.
The one base runner Wansing surrendered came on a single to right from Volunteer right fielder Christian Scott with one out in the sixth.
Not even a rain delay could thwart an Aggies’ win, as Evan Aschenbeck relieved Wansing in the ninth inning to secure the final three outs, leaving no doubt that the Maroon and White would advance onward.
Alongside Wansing’s gem of a performance, the Aggies’ bats also put together a solid day, putting three runs on the board on five hits and five walks.
Their first run came in the third inning on a fielder’s choice, which allowed shortstop Hunter Haas to score. Austin Bost extended the lead in the fourth inning by bringing Jordan Thompson home on a single. Jace LaViolette continued his hot streak, hitting a solo home run in the sixth to put A&M ahead 3-0 and give them a lead they would never surrender.
The freshman and reigning SEC Player of the Week now has 19 homers on the season.
When he was needed most…
He delivered.8.0 IP, 1H, 0R, 0B, 7K
The Highwayman 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VqK7wjPQ16
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 23, 2023
On to the next👍@BrookshireBros x #GigEm pic.twitter.com/x1u0bJxy1w
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) May 23, 2023
The Maroon and White now advance to the double-elimination portion of the bracket and face No. 2 seed Arkansas at 1 p.m. C.T. on Wednesday.
Final Score: Aggies 3, Volunteers 0 – W: Wansing, Troy (3-3) L: Seth Halvorsen (2-3) S: Aschenbeck, Evan (3)
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