Gavin Grahovac – Page 6 – Syndication Server

Post game: No. 4 Texas A&M outlast Auburn in a 9-7 series opening win

Texas A&M takes game one fending off each Auburn rally for a Thursday night victory

No. 4 Texas A&M (23-3, 4-3 SEC) defeats Auburn (16-9, 1-6 SEC) 9-7 in College Station on Thursday night.

Aggies star switch-hitter Braden Montgomery got the party started early with a two-run home run in the first inning for an early 2-0 for his 13th of the year. Later in the third inning, a Jaxon Appel sac fly scored Jace LaViolette, extending the lead to 3-0. Auburn had only mustered one hit to this point, and it looked like A&M might have started to pull away. Then, at the top of the fourth, Auburn tied the game with a three-run shot over the left field wall.

With the game tied at three apiece, A&M answered back when Hayden Schott hit a solo home run to retake the lead. Two walks and two singles later, the Aggies were back on top 6-3. A scoreless fifth-inning Auburn tied the game again, but it was short-lived once Texas A&M returned to the plate.

However, the scores came off free passes. They scored three runs without recording a hit. Two scores came from a bases-loaded hit by pitch followed by a bases-loaded walk. The final run was Schott’s sac fly, which brought Montgomery across the plate.

The Tigers would put another run on the board, but it wouldn’t matter as star Aggies’ closer Evan Aschenbeck closed the door on Auburn in the top of the ninth inning. Sitting at 9-7 with two out, Aschenbeck struck out the final batter to move the Aggies to 23-3 on the year with an open win in the series.

Total offense: 10 hits, 9 runs
Pitching: Evan Aschenbeck W (4-0): 4.0 innings, 5 Ks, 61 pitches. Ryan Prager: 4.1 innings, 2 Ks, 72 pitches. Chris Cortez: 0.2 innings, 1 Ks, 23 pitches. Josh Stewart: 0.0 innings, 0 Ks, 7 pitches.

Texas A&M will be back in action against Auburn in game two of the series at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park on March 29 at 6 p.m.

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No. 6 Texas A&M baseball team’s offense stalls in Game 2 loss against Mississippi State

The Aggies suffered their first home loss following a 5-1 defeat. The Bulldogs tallied 5 runs in the fifth, 3 of which came off one swing.

While the Texas A&M men’s and women’s basketball teams respectively battled Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, the baseball team dealt with its own version of March Madness as its offense stalled in a loss against Mississippi State.

The No. 6 Aggies (20-3, 2-3) suffered their first home loss of the season following a 5-1 defeat against the Bulldogs (17-7, 3-2) at Blue Bell Park. Mississippi State tallied 5 runs in the fifth frame, with 3 of them coming off one swing from junior first baseman Hunter Hines.

Texas A&M scored its lone run in the second inning on an RBI single by junior shortstop Ali Camarillo, who was the only Aggie to record multiple hits, going 2-for-4. Freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac has now reached base safely in 12 consecutive contests and has at least 1 hit in 8 straight games.

Junior right-handed pitcher Tanner Jones (1-1) took the loss after pitching the first 4.0 innings and allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 hit by pitch and 1 walk with 2 strikeouts on 72 pitches.

Texas A&M hosts the Bulldogs for a rubber match at Olsen Field on Saturday at 2 p.m. CST.

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Texas A&M underclassmen Gavin Grahovac & Ryan Prager recap Game 1 win vs. Mississippi State

“All these (SEC) guys are big and physical. It’s been fun, we have a great group of guys and are going to continue to compete every day.”

The No. 6 Texas A&M baseball team beat Mississippi State 6-3 on Thursday at Blue Bell Park

Sophomore redshirt left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager bounced back from a tough start last Friday at Florida to start SEC play.

“It’s always good to get to play again. The problem with being a starting pitcher is you have to wait a week,” Prager explained. “I’m just really excited that we got the game in tonight and are starting to stick with our plan. Last week, it’s not like anything went terribly wrong, we just got hit around. That’s going to happen, it just happened to be the first one and it all came together. We just stuck to our plan and saw everything work the first four weeks and again tonight.”

Freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac has adjusted quickly to playing SEC baseball, crushing two homers to begin the Bulldogs series.

“It’s been fun, man. All these (SEC) guys are big and physical. Everyone throws hard and hits. It’s been fun, we have a great group of guys and are going to continue to compete every day,” Grahovac said. “Both (homers), I’m just happy they got out. Did something for the team, was able to get runs going, so we all played great tonight.”

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Texas A&M baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle reflects on Game 1 victory vs. Mississippi State

“For us to strikeout 12 against a team that makes big, heavy two-strike adjustments, that says a lot about how those guys threw,” he said.

The No. 6 Texas A&M baseball team doubled up Mississippi State on Thursday night to begin a three-game SEC series at Blue Bell Park.

Aggies head coach Jim Schlossnagle spoke to the media afterward about several topics, including the bounce back performance from redshirt sophomore left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager.

“Normally he throws his fastball up and his breaking ball down. Last week he just had a really rough day with his fastball down and his breaking ball up, it was as simple as that. Florida made him pay for it,” Schlossnagle recalled. “For us to strikeout 12 against a team that makes big, heavy two-strike adjustments, that says a lot about how those guys threw. It’s also a response from Ryan, especially in the first inning to strike out four guys. I’m proud of him.”

Freshman third baseman Graham Grahovac hit two homers against the Bulldogs on Thursday.

“He stays on the ball. I think his first college homer was to right field,” Schlossnagle said. “Staying on the ball the other way allows him to handle the breaking balls that are left up, which he hit in the first inning. The lefty (in the fifth) was on the ropes then punched out Targac and started feeling better about his breaking ball. Then he threw (Grahovac) one which he fouled straight back. Then I think he went right back to it and left it up again. Gavin is a heck of a player as we knew when we signed him.”

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No. 6 Texas A&M baseball team doubles up Mississippi State to take Game 1 of SEC series

After losing their first SEC series of the season last weekend in Florida, the Aggies have gotten their second off to a good start thus far.

After losing its first conference series of the season last weekend in Gainesville, the Texas A&M baseball team has gotten its second of the year off to a good start.

The No. 6 Aggies (20-2, 2-2 SEC) scored 5 runs in the fifth inning on Thursday night at Blue Bell Park to double up Mississippi State (16-7, 2-2) by a final score of 6-3. Texas A&M rallied on Wednesday with 5 runs in the eighth frame to defeat Prairie View A&M.

Gavin Grahovac had himself a career day, smashing two home runs to left field, propelling the Aggies to victory. The freshman third baseman led off the game with a solo shot in the bottom of the first inning to give Texas A&M an early advantage. Then with the game tied 2-2 in the fifth, he crushed a grand slam to reclaim the lead for good.

Junior Braden Montgomery returned to right field on Thursday night after starting on the bump Wednesday. He was the other Aggie with multiple hits, going 2-for-4.

Left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager (5-0) continued to dominate and earned the win. The redshirt sophomore tossed 6.1 innings and allowed 4 hits, 2 unearned runs and 1 walk with 8 strikeouts on 91 pitches. Senior LHP Evan Aschenbeck picked up his third save by pitching the final 1.1 frames.

On what will be an extremely busy Friday for Texas A&M Athletics with both basketball teams competing in March Madness against Nebraska, the baseball team hosts the Bulldogs at 6 p.m. for Game 2 at Olsen Field.

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No. 4 Texas A&M baseball team earns redemption versus Florida to tie SEC series

After suffering their first loss of the season on Friday, the Aggies earned revenge versus Florida with a win on Saturday to tie the series.

After suffering its first loss of the season on Friday night in Gainesville, the Texas A&M baseball team earned redemption against Florida with a victory to tie the series.

The Aggies (17-1 SEC) defeated the Gators (11-7, 1-1) by a final score of 10-6 on Saturday evening in Game 2 of the three-game set at Condron Ballpark. With the win, Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle tallied his 100th victory in Aggieland, a few weeks after racking up his 900th overall win.

Junior right fielder Braden Montgomery got the Aggies off to a hot start with a 3-run homer to right field in the top of the first inning. Florida tied the contest in the bottom half of the frame.

Texas A&M scored 5 runs in the top of the third, kick-started by 2 solo home runs to left from underclassmen dynamic duo, freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac and sophomore center fielder Jace LaViolette. The Gators avoided a shutdown inning by tallying 2 runs in the bottom half but still trailed 8-5 after three innings.

In the top of the ninth, junior shortstop Ali Camarillo hit a 2-run single to right giving the Aggies some insurance. Florida scored once in the bottom half of the inning and ultimately lost 10-6.

Junior right-handed pitcher Tanner Jones started on the bump and got roughed up. He tallied 2.1 innings pitched, 5 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks and 1 hit by pitch with 2 strikeouts on 50 pitches.

Senior left-handed pitcher Evan Aschenbeck (3-0) took over in relief for Jones and earned the victory by dealing. He tossed 4.0 scoreless frames and allowed 4 hits & 1 walk with 6 Ks on 68 pitches. Sophomore LHP Shane Sdao threw the final 1.2 innings to pick up his first save of 2024.

The SEC rivals will battle for the series win on Sunday with first pitch set for 12 p.m. CST.

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Unbeaten No. 6 Texas A&M pitching staff continues to dominate with another shutout

The Aggies scored three runs in the first inning, two in the fourth and one in the fifth against Rhode Island on Saturday at Blue Bell Park.

For the sixth time this season and second game in a row, the Texas A&M baseball team has shutout their opponent.

The No. 6 Aggies (15-0) continued to dominate on Saturday afternoon at Blue Bell Park in College Station, defeating Rhode Island (2-9) by a final score of 6-0. Texas A&M beat the Rams 11-0 on Friday night at Olsen Field.

Florida State (12-0) is the only other undefeated team left in college baseball other than the Aggies. The Seminoles host New Orleans tonight and are likely to remain unbeaten through the weekend. However, they face in-state rival Florida on Tuesday night in Gainesville.

The Aggies scored three runs in the first inning, two in the fourth and one in the fifth against Rhode Island on Saturday. Junior right fielder Braden Montgomery and graduate student designated hitter Hayden Schott each had 2 runs batted in. Senior first baseman Ted Burton and freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac had 1 RBI a piece.

Junior right-handed pitcher Tanner Jones started on the mound and pitched the first 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing 4 hits & 2 walks with 8 strikeouts on 79 pitches. Fellow junior RHP Brad Rudis earned the victory after pitching 3.0 scoreless frames of relief, giving up only 1 hit with 4 Ks on 32 pitches.

Texas A&M goes for its third three-game sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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Texas A&M baseball makes a move in the USA TODAY Coaches poll

Texas A&M moves up a spot after going 3-0 at the Kubota College Baseball Series

Head coach Jim Schlossnagle has the Texas A&M baseball team off to its hottest start in almost a decade, sitting at 11-0. The Aggies have been a consensus Top 10 team since the preseason and have not disappointed from the start.

Braden Mongomery and Jace LaViolette are living up to the All-American status. At the same time, freshman phenom Gavin Grahovac has been as good as advertised through the first 11 games of the season.

With A&M being one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the country, one would think they might have cracked the Top five in the latest rankings. However, some of the knocks on this team are that their schedule has been somewhat lackluster, and they tend to strike out a little more than desired.

They still did move up but only one spot in the USA TODAY Coaches poll from No. 7 to No. 6. The top two spots remained unchanged, with Wake Forest and LSU in the 1 and 2 spots. Arkansas jumped two spots to No. 3, TCU dropped one to No. 4, and Oregon State moved into the No. 5 spot.

No. 7 Texas A&M pulls away late in for a 9-3 win over USC for a 10-0 start to the season

The Aggies stay perfect on the year beating USC 9-3 in Arlington on Saturday evening

It took a while for Texas A&M (10-0) to get going on Saturday afternoon against USC (2-8), but the floodgates opened when they did. Starting pitcher Tanner Jones threw well overall but did have a few command issues early and USC was able to jump out to an early 1-0 lead. A pitching duel ensued until the fifth inning when Branden Montgomery, Ted Burton, and Jaxon Appel all hit RBI singles to go up 3-1 in the top of the fifth.

USC tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth and the wheel fell off for the Trojans. After back-to-back singles by Montgomery and Hayden Schott led to a pitching change by USC. From there, walks over the next two innings led to the Aggies getting five hits and five runs to go up 8-2 by the eighth inning.

A little insurance was added by true freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac, who homered over the left-field wall for the solo run in the top of the ninth. USC added one more run but that would be all as the Aggies beat the Trojans 9-3

Total offense: 12 hits, 9 runs
Pitching: Weston Moss W (2-0): 2.0 innings, 3 Ks, 33 pitches. Tanner Jones: 3.0 innings, 3 Ks, 50 pitches. Josh Stewart: 3.0 innings, 3 Ks, 38 pitches. Luke Jackson: 1.0 innings, 0 Ks, 19 pitches.

Texas A&M will close out the Kubota College Baseball Series with a rematch with Arizona State on Sunday at 11 a.m.

No. 4 Texas A&M baseball team earns first narrow victory of season versus Wagner to remain unbeaten

The Aggies were challenged for the first time in the 2024 season on Saturday afternoon at Blue Bell Park but they held on for a 2-0 victory.

The No. 4 Texas A&M baseball team was challenged for the first time in the 2024 season on Saturday afternoon at Blue Bell Park.

The Aggies (6-0) held on for a 2-0 victory versus Wagner after scoring both runs in the first inning. Texas A&M leaned on its stellar pitching staff again.

Justin Lamkin (1-0) picked up his first win of the year by pitching the first 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 walk with 5 strikeouts on 67 pitches. The sophomore left-hander has not allowed a run through two starts.

Senior LHP Evan Aschenbeck tossed the final 4.0 innings and allowed 2 hits and 1 walk with 7 Ks on 46 pitches. Aschenbeck earned the save to mark the longest by an Aggie since 2021 alumnus Jacob Palisch accomplished the feat as a graduate student against Arkansas in 2022.

With the victory, Texas A&M earned its second straight weekend series to begin the campaign for the first time under head coach Jim Schlossnagle. Saturday’s win is the third time in program history that the Aggies have earned a shutout in half of their first six matchups (1949 & 1983). Six runs allowed thus far is the fewest since 2011.

Texas A&M scored its two runs on an RBI single up the middle by junior right fielder Braden Montgomery to score freshman third baseman Graham Grahovac. Montgomery reached base safely for the 34th consecutive contest.

Following an error in the outfield on Montgomery’s hit, sophomore center fielder Jace LoViolette scored an unearned run. Grad student left fielder Hayden Schott went 3-for-4 at the plate to continue his streak as the only Aggie to tally at least one hit in each game this season.

Texas A&M goes for a sweep of the Seahawks from Staten Island tomorrow at 1 p.m.

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