No. 15 Aggies Blanked By LSU's Paul Skenes In 9-0 Loss

Paul Skenes proved to be one of the SEC's most dominant players after striking out 11 Texas A&M batters in a 9-0 win Friday evening at Blue Bell Park.

LSU manager Jay Johnson told reporters that junior Paul Skenes might end up being one of the best right-handers to walk through Baton Rouge when all is said and done. Scouts are already calling him a lock to land in the top five of this year's MLB draft. 

Skenes, a transfer from Air Force, could be the catalyst for the Tigers' domination in SEC play by the end of the 2023 season. He certainly was the reason for a 9-0 win over No. 15 Texas A&M Friday night at Blue Bell Park to open conference play. 

“I’ve been doing this for 33 years,” A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “And [San Diego State’s Stephen Strasburg, Southern California’s Mark Prior] and Paul Skenes are the best I’ve ever seen.”

Skenes lasted a season-high 6.1 innings as his commanding 98 mph fastball torched A&M's bats in the box. The 6-6, 247-pounder hushed the crowd as he headed back to the dugout with his scoreless inning streak still in tack, allowing just four hits while striking out 11.

Skenes. Stirrups. Sword. @Paul_Skenes | @PitchingNinja pic.twitter.com/nHSeh9nVaC

— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 17, 2023

Entering Friday, Skenes posted an ERA of .075, the 12th-lowest among all college pitchers. When he takes the hill next Friday, that number will hover at 059. His 59 strikeouts in 30.1 innings pitch also leads the NCAA. 

“He’s a real pitcher,” Schlossnagle said. “He’s pitching in the wrong league, I can tell you that. He needs to be in the American or National League.”

The Aggies were in trouble following Skenes' first pitch, which clocked in at 99 mph. Shortstop Hunter Hass smacked a double down the left-field line in the first inning, while center fielder Jordan Thompson reached on a single in the second. After a one-out single from Kasen Wells in the third, Skenes looked locked in for the remainder of the night. 

He retired 10 straight A&M batters before walking off the mound and trusting his bullpen. For the Aggies, Nathan Dettmer (1-2) allowed LSU to plate two runs in the first inning, giving Skenes a comfortable lead. 

SKKKKKKKKKKKENES@Paul_Skenes | SECN pic.twitter.com/OwS1zZPV9d

— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 18, 2023

“The worst thing that could have ever happened is giving up runs in the first inning when you already know you’ve got an uphill battle,” Schlossnagle said. “I thought we fought with them, but four runs felt like 10.”

The Tigers tacked on two more runs in the third as Tre' Morgan and Dylan Crews again crossed home plate thanks to a wild pitch and an RBI single from Tommy White. 

Dettmer did his best to keep damage control at a minimum, tossing six innings while allowing four walks on six hits. He also struck out six Tigers, his third-most in a start this year. 

Freshman Shane Sdao pitched two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, striking out a pair of Tigers in the process. Offensively, the Aggies couldn't capitalize with runners in scoring position in the eighth, leaving it at 4-0. 

Right-hander Carson Lambert did little to help mount a comeback in the ninth. The senior allowed five runs off two hits and two walks, including a two-run RBI single from White, who finished with a team-high in runs plated. 

Schlossnagle mentioned throughout non-conference play that the offense was inconsistent, primarily in the heart of the lineup. On Friday, Jack Moss, Austin Bost, and Ryan Targac — A&M's three best hitters — went a combined 1-for-12 with six strikeouts. 

“You’re going to take body blows, and you need to be a team that’s able to give them back,” Schlossnagle said. “This league is at a whole other level this year… Right now, the level of play in this conference is at an all-time high."

A&M returns to Blue Bell Park for a 2:02 p.m. first pitch Saturday afternoon. While the Tigers will stand on the steps of the first base dugout, Skenes won't be eligible to pitch, something Schlossnagle considers a blessing.

“Thankfully it’s not softball where he gets to pitch every day,” Schlossnagle said. “They have a good one going tomorrow and a good one going Sunday, but that guy’s pretty special.”

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