Tag: Ryan Prager

Texas A&M pitching coach Max Weiner is a star in the making

Max Weiner has turned Texas A&M’s pitching staff into one of the best units in the country

Texas A&M (51-13) is just one win away from the College World Series title game after a series of impressive victories, including a 5-1 win over Kentucky (46-15) on Wednesday night. Like most of the Aggies’ wins this postseason, it was the performance on the mound that has kept the team undefeated this week for the first time in program history, a testament to the strategic guidance of the coaching staff.

The Aggies’ offensive firepower took a hit with star outfielder Braden Montgomery’s season-ending ankle injury. The blow was further compounded by the upper-body injury suffered by sophomore pitcher Shane Sdao in A&M’s super regional win over Oregon, which has kept him out for the rest of the postseason.

With the team facing more challenges due to the injuries, the pressure on Jim Schlossnagle to deliver increased. However, the third-year head coach has relied on the expertise of first-year pitching coach Max Weiner, who has proven to be a game-changer and the best hire the program has made during Schlossnagle’s tenure.

With Sdao’s absence, the team needed to rely on fewer arms. The combination of Ryan Prager, Chris Cortez, and senior reliever Evan Aschenbeck has been nothing short of elite.

Each player has vastly improved from last season, with Weiner’s coaching leading to notable adjustments in control, hitting the strike zone, and, most importantly, confidence after every in-game mound visit has eased the mind of every Aggie pitcher to finish out each inning.

On Monday, Prager pitched one of his best career performances, recording 20 outs and four strikeouts while allowing just two hits and one walk on 95 pitches, outright earning the Aggie’s 5-1 victory. While the redshirt sophomore’s improvement has taken center stage after missing last season with an injury, junior Chris Cortez’s ascendance as a top MLB prospect has continued to turn heads.

Entering the season with an elite arm but a blatant lack of control and a tendency for wild pitches, Cortez is now 10-3 on the year. He isn’t lacking any confidence as the Aggies’ go-to relief option, bringing a, yes, nasty quality to his sliders and fastballs that regularly top out at 100 MPH.

For star closer Evan Aschenbeck, the senior was named “Stopper of the Year” with ten saves and a 6-1 record on the season so far, coupled with 76 strikeouts and just ten walks issued, taking full advantage of Weiner’s analytic knowledge during his time with the Seattle Mariners.

Even after a shaky start to the regular season, lefty Justin Lamkin bounced back in a big way during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Florida. The sophomore struck out six batters while allowing just one hit on the night, a testament to Weiner’s late-season adjustments.

Still under 30, Weiner’s “control the zone” mantra has continued to yield results, as Texas A&M baseball’s first national title in program history while building toward his eventual head coaching career. Last but not least, Texas A&M’s team ERA has gone from 5.67 to 3.86 in just one season under Max Weiner.

Texas A&M will play the winner of Florida vs. Kentucky on Wednesday, June 19, at 6:00 p.m. CT.

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Best photos from Texas A&M’s 5-1 win over Kentucky at the College World Series

View some of the best photos from Texas A&M’s victory over Kentucky on Monday night.

Texas A&M continues to roll on in Omaha beating Kentucky 5-1 on Monday night. This win will allow the Aggies to get some rest as they nurse a few minor injuries to Hayden Schott and Jace LaViolette.

Another major win that came out of the game is that Coach Jim Schlossnagle was able to save both his star closers Chris Cortez and Evan Aschenbeck due to the masterful job by the combo of Ryan Prager and Josh Stewart. They held the Wildcats to four hits and a single run scored.

While both teams left a ton of traffic on the bases, a big sixth inning from the Aggies proved to be the difference in the game scoring all six of their wins in that frame. Below are some of the best photos from the win on Tuesday night.

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6+ hitless frames from Prager leads #3 Texas A&M past #2 Kentucky at College World Series

Sophomore LHP Ryan Prager put the Aggies on his back and nearly tossed a no-no, recording 20 outs before the first Wildcat tallied a hit.

Four days into the 2024 College World Series, the Texas A&M baseball team is the only unbeaten squad in the second bracket remaining.

The No. 3 Aggies faced another SEC foe on Monday evening after defeating Florida 3-2 on Saturday night. Texas A&M (51-13) beat No. 2 Kentucky (46-15) by a final score of 5-1 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ryan Prager put the Aggies on his back and nearly tossed a no-hitter. The sophomore left-handed pitcher recorded 20 outs on Monday before the first Wildcat tallied a hit. He (9-1) earned the win by pitching 6.2 scoreless innings and allowing 2 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts on 95 pitches.

After there was a pitchers’ duel through five frames, Texas A&M plated all 5 of its runs in the top of the sixth. Graduate student designated hitter Hayden Schott led the way going 3-for-5 with 2 runs batted in and 1 run scored.

Seniors, catcher Jackson Appel and first baseman Ted Burton, and sophomore second baseman Kaeden Kent each recorded 2 hits. Kent contributed 2 RBI and junior shortstop Ali Camarillo had the other.

The Aggies play the winner of Florida versus Kentucky on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

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Jim Schlossnagle announces Texas A&M’s starting pitcher vs. Kentucky in the CWS

Ryan Prager will take the mound against Kentucky on Monday night

Texas A&M (50-13) is off and running in the College World Series after defeating the Florida Gators 3-2 in the early hours of Sunday morning due to inclement weather in Omaha, Nebraska, causing a four-hour delay.

The game, which started at 10:00 p.m. CT, was a thrilling late-night baseball showdown that had the Aggie and Gator fans in attendance on the edge of their seats. If you were a fan of pitching, this was the matchup for you! The Aggies, led by Justin Lamkin, Chris Cortez, and Evan Aschenbeck, delivered an impressive performance, striking out 16 batters and allowing just two runs on the night.

While A&M’s offense only mustered three runs in the second and third innings, Schlossnagle’s strategic move to start Lamkin, who had previously struggled, resulted in the sophomore striking out six with just one allowed in three innings.

While Cortez, who earned his 10th win on the year, threw 61 pitches and will likely not be available for Monday’s matchup vs. Kentucky, Lamkin and star closer Evan Aschenbeck could appear if needed.

On Sunday, Schlossnagle officially announced the inevitable: ace Ryan Prager would take the mound against the Wildcats. Prager will make his first start since being pulled early in the Aggies’ win vs. Oregon in the super regionals. During the year, Prager had 114 strikeouts with a 3.10 ERA.

No. 3 Texas A&M will play the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats on Monday, June 17, at 6:00 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPN.

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5 Texas A&M baseball players receive ABCA All-Region Honors with 4 on the first team

Texas A&M is rolling into the College World Series with several accolades, including five players receiving recognition from the ABCA.

The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team is rolling into Omaha with several accolades under its belt, including five players receiving recognition from the American Baseball Coaches Association this week.

On Tuesday the the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Central All-Region Teams were revealed. The squads were chosen by ABCA members.

Senior left-handed pitcher Evan Aschenbeck, outfielders, Braden Montgomery and sophomore Jace LaViolette, and freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac were chosen to the ABCA All-Region first team. Starting sophomore LHP Ryan Prager received a second team nod.

Five Aggies was the highest from the Central Region and tied for the most in program history with 2015.

Montgomery suffered a season-ending injury during the Super Regionals versus Oregon and is likely to be drafted in the Top 10 of the 2024 MLB Draft. Aschenbeck was recently awarded “Stopper of the Year” from the National College Baseball Writers Association.

The No. 3 Aggies (49-13) begin the College World Series versus SEC rival Florida (34-28) on Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

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

LHP Justin Lamkin Will reportedly take the bump against Florida in Game 1 of the College World Series

Texas A&M (49-13) is set to embark on the journey of a lifetime. The Aggies will face the Florida Gators (34-28) in the first round of the College World Series on Saturday afternoon, earning a berth to the big dance for the second time in three seasons under head coach Jim Schlossnagle.

However, amid A&M’s memorable 15-9 super regional clinching victory vs. Oregon on Sunday night, sophomore starting pitcher Shane Sdao sustained a season-ending upper-body injury, joining star outfielder Braden Montgomery on the injury list, as both will miss the remainder of the postseason.

With the pitching rotation suddenly thin, Schlossnagle, who has more than earned the fan base’s trust regarding his decision-making, will reportedly go with lefty Justin Lamkin in a surprise but understandable move, as the sophomore has been up and down throughout the year.

During the year, Lamkin held a 2-2 record, recording 71 strikeouts with a 5.73 ERA.

From a strategic standpoint, Schlossnagle likely feels that if Lamkin can last four to five clean innings, bringing in junior Chris Cortez and star reliever Evan Aschenbach is the path toward victory against the Gators in Game 1. If Lamkin comes through, having ace Ryan Prager available to win the series on Monday, potentially. looks like a very savvy move.

Texas A&M vs. Florida will start on Saturday, June 15, at 6:00 p.m. CT. and air on ESPN.

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‘Like hearing from your dad,’ Schlossnagle explains the value of Texas A&M’s CWS experience

“The more often you go, the more used to being here that a team is. Between Prager, Cortez, Rudis and Targac, it’s awesome to have that.”

Before the Texas A&M baseball team begins the College World Series this weekend, coach Jim Schlossnagle spoke to the media about the four Aggies who accomplished program history by making their second trip to Omaha, Nebraska.

“It means a lot. The more often you go, the more used to being here that a team is. When you have somebody other than a coach who can talk to you about their experience, whether it be on the field or off,” Schlossnagle said Thursday. “Between Prager, Cortez, Rudis and Targac, it’s awesome to have that coming from players. It’s like hearing from your dad all the time, they hear from me all the time, but it’s better when it comes from a player. Hopefully we can continue that to where we always have that kind of experience on our club.”

No. 3 Texas A&M (49-13) face SEC rival Florida (34-28) on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. on ESPN.

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Best photos from No. 3 Texas A&M’s win vs. Oregon to move on to Omaha

View some of the best photos from Texas A&M’s late rally victory to move on the College World Series!

The Texas A&M Aggie baseball team needed all nine innings to secure their spot in the College World Series. For a large portion of the game, it looked like we were headed for game three. Oregon took an 8-4 lead into A&M and had some work to do if they wanted to get back into the game.

It took a little Olsen magic and a historic meltdown by the Ducks pitchers, but the Aggies exploded for a nine-run seventh inning to take a 13-8 lead. Multiple walks and a hit batter led to five runs coming across the plate, tying the game at 8-8. With bases loaded and two outs, Kaeden Kent stepped into the batter’s box, and with a 2-2 count, he blew the game wide open with a grand slam over the right cent wall.

Up 13-8, A&M would go on to add two more insurance runs off a Hayden Schott home run in the top of the eighth. Oregon was able to put one more run on the board before it was all said and done, but it would be the end of the line for the Ducks, with the Aggies taking the series in Game Two with a 15-9 victory. Below are some of the best photos from the game.

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Best photos from No. 3 Texas A&M’s win vs. Oregon to start Super Regionals

Before Game 2 at Olsen Field on Sunday night, check out the best photos from Saturday taken by USA TODAY Sports photographer Maria Lysaker.

The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team beat Oregon by a final score of 10-6 on Saturday afternoon at Blue Bell Park to begin the Bryan-College Station Super Regional.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager had a tough start. He pitched 1.2 frames and allowed 7 hits and 6 runs with 1 strikeout on 41 pitches.

Junior RHP Chris Cortez came in, was lights out and saved the day per usual to earn the win. Cortez (9-3) tossed 5.2 scoreless innings and gave up 3 walks and 2 hits with 10 Ks on 89 pitches.

With two runners on base in the top of the eighth, senior LHP Evan Aschenbeck took over for Cortez and got out of the jam. Aschenbeck recorded his eighth save by pitching 1.2 frames without allowing a hit on 22 pitches. He struck out 60% of batters faced.

Before Game 2 at Olsen Field on Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2, check out the best photos from Saturday taken by USA TODAY Sports photographer Maria Lysaker.

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Texas A&M junior pitcher Chris Cortez dominated in Super Regionals vs. Oregon

“I don’t try to come in and pitch to the scoreboard. Prager has been awesome all year. It was just an opportunity for me to go pick him up.”

The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team beat Oregon by a final score of 10-6 on Saturday afternoon at Blue Bell Park to begin the Bryan-College Station Super Regional.

Junior RHP Chris Cortez came in, was lights out and saved the day per usual to earn the win. Cortez (9-3) tossed 5.2 scoreless innings and gave up 3 walks and 2 hits with 10 Ks on 89 pitches.

“I don’t try to come in and pitch to the scoreboard. My job is to get outs. Prager has been awesome all year. It was just an opportunity for me to go pick him up. I knew if I put up zeroes, the offense was going to score some runs. That’s my job is to go out there and put up zeroes,” Cortez said. “(My mindset was) to go in and fill it up. It doesn’t matter if I go in the second inning, third inning or the ninth inning, it’s the same thing. One pitch at a time, one inning save. My mentality doesn’t change if I go in earlier or late in the game.”

Game 2 at Olsen Field is Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

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