No. 15 Texas A&M (14-6) avoids the series sweep with an exciting comeback win over No. 1 LSU (18-2). In the very first inning, it appeared the Aggies were in for a long game as they gifted Tigers the first few runs of the game. However, they would settle in and give us one of the best games at Blue Bell Park this year.
Starting pitcher Chris Cortez had a rough start to the game after walking a few batters, then a fielding error led to LSU’s first score without logging a hit. The Tigers left the top of the inning with a 4-0 lead, but the Aggies were able to answer back with a solo homer from Jack Moss cutting the lead to 4-1.
he hits baseballs.
that's what he does.💣 @jackmoss22 pic.twitter.com/BAd9F1v1P4
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) March 19, 2023
LSU put up another run in the second inning, leading to Cortez being pulled for Freshman Justin Lamkin who closed out the inning with a pop up out to third base. LSU 5-1
Texas A&M benefited from struggling LSU pitching in the bottom if the third inning allowing Kaedan Kent to score off a few wild pitches. LSU 5-2
Lamkin continued to hold off the batting for LSU with some solid pitching giving the offense some time to get in a groove. The Aggies awarded Lamkin by pulling within one score after a two-run RBI double hit by Hunter Haas into right-center field scoring Stanley Tucker and Max Kaufer to make the score 5-4 going into the top of the sixth.
Deficit is down to one 💪🫧
Nice piece of hitting from @hunterhaas02!#GigEm pic.twitter.com/klKjrSVvRK
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) March 19, 2023
After a solid outing by Lamkin he was relieved by Robert Hogan who immediately had issues and loaded the bases before getting pulled for Will Johnston. Considering how bad of a situation Johnston walked into, he only gave up one run off a sac fly allowing LSU to extend the lead 6-5.
The bottom of the eighth was a nail biter for Aggie faithful as the LSU closer struck out back-to-back batters with the based loaded, and you could feel the anxiety in the air as Kasan Wells came into bat. With a full count, the last pitch would be called a ball letting Ryan Targac score. Now, only down by one and the base still loaded, Tucker squeaked a hit past the third baseman for a two-run RBI single causing Blue Bell Park to erupt in elation as the Aggies took the lead 6-7.
ALL HAIL @tuck_stanley 👑
Aggies lead. pic.twitter.com/zivvK4u6Rm
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) March 19, 2023
Texas A&M closed out the scoring in the inning with a RBI single scoring Wells to put the Aggies up 8-6.
Three outs away from a win over the No. 1 team, Johnston allowed one hit with one out putting the tying run up to bat. He struck out the next batter for the second out and then the last out came via fly out to right field for a final score of 8-6.
Final Score: Aggies 8, Tigers 6 – W: Johnston, Will (2-0); L: Little, Christian (2-1)
Even though Texas A&M lost the series they were able to put a good amount of runs over the last two games. Also, they might have found another regular starting pitcher in Lamkin, while Tucker possibly played his way into more starts down the line.
Check out the highlights from the game below:
The Aggie will host the Rice Owls in a midweek match at Blue Bell Park on March 21st at 6 pm.
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