Tag: College World Series Finals

Watch Jace LaViolette hit his first home run in the College World Series

Jace LaViolette finally hits a home run in the College World Series!

For the first time in more than a month, Texas A&M star outfielder Jace LaViolette has hit a home run, which seems impossible when you think about it after he recorded 28 home runs during the regular season.

Despite grappling with a hamstring injury that has undoubtedly affected his usual production and potentially altered his swing, Jace LaViolette’s return to form on Sunday afternoon during Game 2 of the College World Series Finals vs. Tennessee was a beacon of hope. His performance, a testament to his determination, serves as a reminder of his undeniable talent.

As the home team on Sunday, LaViolette entered the game with just one hit in the CWS, so from a confidence standpoint, things looked a little shaky in one of the biggest games in program history.

However, possessing a high-MLB upside, LaViolette stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the first and, after a couple of pitches, destroyed an inside fastball for his 29th home run of the year.

Texas A&M is currently leading Tennessee 1-0 in the top of the 5th inning.

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Texas A&M’s Game 2 starting pitcher vs. Tennessee in the CWS Finals has been announced

Redshirt senior Zane Badmaev will reportedly take the mound vs. Tennessee in Game 2

Texas A&M (53-13) defeated top-seeded Tennessee 9-5 on Saturday night. The Aggies are now just 27 outs away from securing the program’s first National Title in head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s third season with the program.

Sitting at a perfect 9-0 since the start of postseason play, star outfielder Braden Montgomery’s season-ending injury was supposed to put a major dent in the Aggies’ offense, but credit to junior Kaeden Kent’s exceptional play in his absence, recording 12 hits two home runs, and 14 RBI since exploding on the season during the super regional round.

On Saturday, first-year pitching coach Max Weiner worked his magic once again, as ace pitcher Ryan Prager took the mound to the tune of six strikeouts and just two runs allowed, and Josh Stewart entered the fold for four Ks before elite closer Evan Aschenbeck’s borderline-career night with seven strikeouts to earn the victory.

Ahead of the 1:00 p.m. start time, Texas A&M’s depth chart was released to the media. It revealed that Schlossnagle would go with redshirt senior pitcher Zane Badmaev for his first start of the year. This move looks similar to what Tennessee did yesterday with pitcher Chris Stamos, who only lasted one inning.

With senior Chris Cortez available, my guess is that Badmaev is expected to last at least two, to possibly three innings before Cortez does the rest of the work in the middle innings. So far this season, Badmaev is 1-0, with 27 strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA.

Texas A&M will face Tennessee in Game 2 of the College World Series on Sunday, June 23 at 1:00 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC and be available for streaming on ESPN+.

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How to watch Game 2 of Texas A&M vs. Tennessee in the College World Series Finals

Here is the early start time for Game 2 of the College World Series Finals

Texas A&M (53-13) is just 27 outs away from winning the first major National Championship program history after defeating top-seeded Tennessee 9-5 on Saturday night. The Aggies’ offense woke up early, scoring seven runs in the first and third innings.

Aggies’ ace Ryan Prager once again demonstrated his prowess on the mound, delivering a stellar performance with unwavering confidence. He recorded six strikeouts and allowed just two earned runs after 81 pitches in four innings, a testament to his skill and dedication.

After the redshirt sophomore walked to the bench with a standing ovation, Josh Stewart relied on his nasty pitching style to get through two more innings with four Ks while allowing just two more runs. After two quick pitches from Ryan Rudis, which led to a solo Tennessee home run, elite closer Evan Aschenbeck came in.

Throwing with his usual swagger, the senior was lights out in critical moments, recording seven strikeouts with just two hits, and after 46 pitches, Aschenbeck knows that a short is likely imminent regarding the stakes at hand:

“It’s the College World Series. I will be ready to go. There is not a doubt in my mind.”

Offensively, everyone contributed. SEC Freshman of the Year 3B Gavin Grahovic led things off in first with a huge solo home run to take the early 1-0 lead, followed by fellow freshman Caden Sorrell’s RBI single to finish out the inning.

Going into the third, the Aggie bats exploded for five runs. In contrast, junior CWS standout Kaeden Kent, who went 3-5 with four RBI on the night, ended the frame with an RBI single. Kent then returned in the seventh with a two-run homer to essentially end the game at 9-2 before the Vols’ late three-run rally.

Heading into Sunday afternoon, head coach Jim Schlossnagle has yet to announce a starting pitcher but knows that junior Chris Cortez will be a part of the rotation regardless.

“(Chris) Cortez will be a part of it, more than likely. We have to decide what to do with (Justin) Lamkin.”

“There will be guys who haven’t pitched yet that will have to give us something.”

Texas A&M will face Tennessee in Game 2 of the College World Series on Sunday, June 23 at 1:00 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC and be available for streaming on ESPN+.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Watch Texas A&M’s final hype video that will get you ready for the CWS Finals

Let’s get ready to rumble!

The stage is set for the College World Series Finals, where the mighty Texas A&M (52-13) will go head-to-head with the top-seeded Tennessee Volunteers (58-12). This is a ‘Clash of the Titans’, a battle that has been brewing since the start of the regular season, and now it’s time for the ultimate showdown.

Both programs are coming off impressive victories on Wednesday. The Volunteers defeated Florida State 7-2 behind a late offensive surge, while the Aggies’ dominant pitching performance paved the way for a 6-0 victory over the Florida Gators. Sophomore Justin Lamkin recorded a CWS record nine strikeouts in his best career outing.

As the teams gear up for the most significant weekend in their program history, head coach Jim Schlossnagle, alongside ace pitcher Ryan Prager and DH Hayden Schott, shared their thoughts with the media. The third-year head coach expressed the team’s collective desire to bring home a championship to the 12th Man, underlining the importance of the game.

“It would be awesome. The 12th Man deserves it so much. They’ve been so close and invested so much in athletics.” “I think we’re the first team to be in the national title since the 30s… The 12th Man is so special, and if I talk about it too much, I’ll start crying.”

While Tennessee’s offense heavily relies on home runs, with 178 on the year, no one can deny that Texas A&M’s pitching staff is the hottest group in the country, starting with Ryan Prager in Game 1. With the matchup just hours away, Texas A&M’s media team has released the final “hype” video to prepare Aggie fans for what’s to come.

Texas A&M will play Tennessee in Game 1 of the College World Series finals on Saturday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPN.

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Texas A&M’s Game 1 starting pitcher vs. Tennessee in the CWS Finals has been announced

Texas A&M ace Ryan Prager will unsurprisingly take the mound in Game 1 of the College World Series Finals vs. Tennessee

Texas A&M (52-13) is just two wins away from winning it all. On Saturday night, the Aggies will face the top-seeded Tennessee Volunteers in Game 1 of the College World Series Finals.

Under the guidance of head coach Jim Schlossnagle, the team is gearing up for the battle. In his final pregame press conference before Game 1, he revealed that redshirt sophomore ace Ryan Prager will be leading the charge against the Volunteers. Prager’s impressive performance, with 20 outs and four strikeouts in A&M’s 5-1 win over Kentucky, has earned him this crucial role.

Rested and ready to go, Prager, along with the rest of the Aggie’s borderline elite pitching staff, is the primary reason the program is playing for its first national championship behind first-year pitching coach Max Weiner, whose “control the zone” mantra has readily lived up to expectations.

Fellow starting pitcher Justin Lamkin is just another example of how good A&M’s pitching staff has been since landing in Omaha. The sophomore set a CWS record with nine strikeouts in just five innings, propelling the Aggies to a 6-0 victory over Florida in the semifinal round.

So far on the season, Prager is 9-1 while recording 118 strikeouts, allowing 75 hits, and having an impressive 2.88 ERA.

Texas A&M will play Tennessee in Game 1 of the College World Series finals on Saturday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPN.

Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.