Tag: Ted Burton

Texas A&M baseball lands a huge commitment from former Texas Tech star

Former Texas Tech star Gavin Kash is heading to College Station!

As someone who has been covering Texas A&M athletics for nearly three years, the last week has been, by far, the craziest in recent memory.

However, the negative tone surrounding Aggie baseball after head coach Jim Schlossnagle shockingly departed to take over the Texas Longhorns program one day after the Aggies’ CWS Championship Finals loss has flipped.

Sunday’s news that former hitting coach Michael Earley had been hired as the program’s 21st head coach led to a host of players on the roster removing their names from the transfer portal, including star hitters Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovac.

Although more positive announcements are slated to arrive this week, Earley received an early Christmas (that’s a joke, folks) present hours after his official introduction on Tuesday afternoon. Former Texas Tech star first baseman Gavin Kash will reportedly transfer to Texas A&M for the 2025 season.

As one of the top five players in the transfer portal, Kash is a power hitter with MLB potential. He seems like a nearly seamless replacement for outgoing Aggie first baseman Ted Burton.

In his last two seasons combined with the Red Raiders, Kash hit 41 home runs. He is coming off an impressive 2023 season in which he slashed .300/.365/.561 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs.

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Texas A&M first baseman Blake Binderup has announced his Aggie playing future

Texas A&M will return another key member of the roster in 2025

It’s been a crazy week for Texas A&M’s baseball program. Former head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s sudden departure to head the Texas Longhorns shocked the fan base to its core, not only due to heated rivalry but also the optics surrounding his departure.

For Aggies athletic director Trev Alberts, finding Schlossnagle’s replacement is the only focus. Plenty of intriguing options have made the media rounds, including Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson and former A&M hitting coach Michael Earley, who recently followed Schlossnagle to Texas.

However, the current players are dealing with their own emotions in the wake of the coaching change. While nearly a dozen players entered the transfer portal, several young athletes, including reserve first baseman Blake Binderup, announced their return for the 2025 season.

Sitting behind Ted Burton, who will leave the program after one memorable season in Aggieland, Binderup is a native of College Station and an Aggie legacy who stands at 6 feet, 6 inches and 230 pounds. He offers plenty of potential heading into the 2025 season.

Binderup finished the year with 19 appearances and 10 starts, recording six hits, nine RBIs and one home run while batting .231.

Binderup joins pitchers Shane Sdao, Josh Stewart and Brad Rudis as fellow returnees next season.

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Texas A&M first baseman Ted Burton gives his farewell to the 12th Man

Senior first baseman Ted Burton shares a video for some of his best moments from the 2024 season

  • SLG%/OB% – .479/.438

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    Senior Ted Burton came to Texas A&M as part of the fourth-ranked transfer class leading into the 2024 season. The former Michigan Wolverine secured the starting first base position and became a mainstay at the position. He even earned the nickname “Teddy 2 Bags” among fans, cementing him as another favorite among the newcomers.

    Burton played a big role in the Aggie’s historic team that made it to the College World Series championship game for the first time in the program’s history. He will hold a special place in the 12th Man’s heart for decades to come. Click below to see his final send-off to the fans posted to his social media page.

    SEASON STATS

    • Batting Average – .284
    • Runs – 46
    • Hits – 61
    • Home runs – 9
    • RBIs – 44
    • SLG%/OB% – .479/.438

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    No. 3 Texas A&M begins College World Series finals with rout of SEC rival No. 1 Tennessee

    During the first College World Series finals game in program history, the Texas A&M baseball team came out hot, scoring seven runs in the first three innings.

    During the first College World Series finals game in program history, the Texas A&M baseball team came out hot, scoring seven runs in the first three innings.

    The No. 3 Aggies (53-13) jumped out to a 9-2 lead versus top seed Tennessee (58-13) and won the matchup of SEC squads by a final score of 9-5 to win Game 1 of the CWS finals. Texas A&M tallied 2 runs in the first frame, 5 in the third and 2 in the seventh. The Volunteers scored once in the second and third, respectively, and 3 in the seventh.

    Two Aggies freshmen got the party started in the top of the first. Third baseman Gavin Grahovac belted an oppo taco with a solo home run to right field to begin the contest. It was his 23rd of the season, which set a new franchise record for a freshman, and his fifth leadoff jack of the year.

    Senior catcher Jackson Appel doubled down the left field line, then freshman outfielder Caden Sorrell singled into center and plated Appel.

    Superstar sophomore OF Jace LaViolette drew a walk to start the fifth inning and Appel hit an infield single. Graduate student designated hitter Hayden Schott singled up the middle to score LaViolette. Sorrell singled to right to score Schott and make the score 4-0.

    Senior first baseman Ted Burton plated a run next after making it to first on a fielder’s choice. Burton scored on an error by junior 3B Billy Amick, who allowed junior shortstop Ali Camarillo to reach base safely. Then sophomore second baseman Kaeden Kent singled to right center field to score Camarillo and Sorell, increasing the advantage to 7-1.

    Kent blasted a 2-run bomb to right field in the top of the seventh to make the score 9-2. Despite Tennessee tallying 3 runs in the bottom half of the frame and putting runners on the corners in the ninth, Texas A&M earned a 9-5 victory to begin the CWS finals.

    Sophomore left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager got the start on the mound and tossed 4.0 innings and allowed 8 hits and 2 runs with 6 strikeouts on 81 pitches. Junior RHP Josh Stewart earned the win in relief of Prager. He pitched 2.1 frames and gave up 3 walks, 2 runs and 1 hit with 4 Ks on 56 pitches.

    Junior RHP Brad Rudis tossed 2 pitches and allowed a solo shot to junior DH Hunter Ensley. Then the “Stopper of the Year,” senior LHP Evan Aschenbeck, closed the game, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings and giving up 2 hits with a staggering 7 punch outs on 46 pitches.

    Kent went 3-for-5 with a game-high 4 runs batted in. The son of 2000 NL MVP Jeff Kent tallied 14 RBI in the regular season and has already matched that total in the NCAA Tournament, which is tied for second most in the nation.

    The Aggies will attempt to win their first national championship in school history on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ABC and 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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    4 Aggies who will attempt to stay hot vs. Oregon in NCAA Super Regionals

    Aggies fans have grown to expect production from players like Montgomery, Prager, LaViolette and Grahovac as the Super Regionals approach.

    As the NCAA Super Regionals approach this weekend, fans of the Texas A&M baseball team have grown to expect big production from players like junior outfielder Braden Montgomery, sophomores, left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager & OF Jace LaViolette, and freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac.

    Montgomery was named MVP of the Bryan-College Station Regional. The No. 3 Aggies (47-13) host Oregon (40-18) this weekend at Blue Bell Park in a best of three series.

    If Texas A&M wants to beat the Ducks, it will need contributions from the four players that made the regional All-Tournament team: seniors, first baseman Ted Burton & LHP Evan Aschenbeck, sophomore LHP Shane Sdao and freshman OF Caden Sorrell.

    The NCAA Super Regionals at Olsen Field begin Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. on ESPN2. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday night at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2. If necessary, a winner take all third game would be Monday.

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    Texas A&M senior 1B Ted Burton reflects on go-ahead hit in ‘electric’ extra innings win

    “Walking into that stadium today, it was electric. The 12th Man showed up as they always do. I think it definitely plays a role,” he said.

    According to Texas A&M senior first baseman Ted Burton, the 12th Man played a large role in Saturday night’s 4-2 victory in 11 innings against Texas.

    “It played like a big league park today, that’s for sure. It went both ways and just trying to stick to the game plan. We had a lot of guys hit balls hard at people. Our pitchers did their job. When it came our time, we loaded the bases up and I was just trying to do my part to help the team out,” Burton recalled. “Just walking into that stadium today, it was electric. The 12th Man showed up as they always do, a little bit more today. I think it definitely plays a role in the game being the opponent, it’s tough to walk into that ballpark.

    “We’re just playing to a standard here. It was a rivalry game but ultimately we’re just trying to win a ballgame and play our best baseball at all times.”

    Burton went 1-for-5 with 1 RBI and 1 walk versus the Longhorns.

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    ‘7,600 is a joke,’ Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle reacts to 11-inning win vs. Longhorns

    “I thought both teams played great. I hope whoever’s in charge of the attendance numbers can do my taxes because 7,600 is a joke,” he said.

    The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team earned a 4-2 victory in 11 innings versus Texas on Saturday night at Blue Bell Park to advance to the Bryan-College Station Regional Final on Sunday evening.

    After the game, coach Jim Schlossnagle spoke to the media.

    “It was just an incredible ballgame. I thought that Lebarron Johnson and Gage Bane were awesome! And Prager was outstanding, Aschenbeck was great,” Schlossnagle said. “I thought that we got a lot of really good swings on them. Teddy in particular, it’s crazy to see how dumb baseball is. The guy destroys two balls to center field and then the one that gives us the lead is a swinging bunt that hits the base. I thought both teams played great.

    “And I hope whoever’s in charge of the attendance numbers can do my taxes because 7,600 is a joke.”

    Based on Schlossnagle’s recent interview with ESPN, Saturday’s attendance is likely a sign of what’s to come in Aggieland.

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    ‘Land a lot of jabs,’ Texas A&M senior 1B Ted Burton reflects on win vs. Grambling State

    “I think the approach was we wanted to land a lot of jabs instead of a haymaker punch. We did a great job of that,” the first baseman said.

    Texas A&M senior first baseman Ted Burton contributed 2 hits in an explosive 7-run second inning that led to an 8-0 win against Grambling State on Friday afternoon to begin the Bryan-College Station Regional.

    “I think the approach was we wanted to land a lot of jabs instead of a haymaker punch. We did a great job of that. We faced a lot of good arms in the SEC and not to knock their pitchers at all, they did a great job filling it up, but just base hit after base hit swinging at good pitches. That was the key today,” Burton explained postgame. “When things are going well, it’s easy to stray away from the approach, the same thing when things are going bad. Just sticking with the game plan that our coaches came up with was a huge deal for us. I just think that stringing together quality ABs after quality ABs puts a lot of strain on their team and pitcher just being able to do that consistently and that inning was huge.”

    The Aggies play Texas tomorrow night for a berth in the Bryan-College Station Regional Final. First pitch at Blue Bell Park is scheduled for 8 p.m. on ESPN.

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