Texas A&M Aggies Remain Idle At No. 3 In Latest D1 Baseball Rankings
Another week, another top-three ranking for Texas A&M baseball.
The Aggies remained idle in D1 Baseball's rankings entering Week 8 of the regular season, coming in once again at No. 3. A&M secured a run-rule mid-week win over Texas State before taking two of three against No. 22 South Carolina in Columbia.
While pitching has been a concern away from Blue Bell Park, the offense has continued to produce away from College Station, averaging 7.75 runs per game in eight contests. Over the four-game road trip, A&M averaged 8 runs per contest, including scoring nine or more in back-to-back games.
Designated hitter Hayden Schott served as 'Mr. Consistency' in Columbia. Over the three games, the senior hit .429 (6 of 14) with one home run, nine RBI and a stolen base. He recorded three RBIs in all three games.
Five players reached base in multiple games, including outfielders Jace LaViolette and Braden Montgomery. Jackson Appel, Ted Burton and Ali Camarillo each finished with at least two RBI on the weekend.
On the mound, pitching prevailed. Left-hander Ryan Prager surrendered only two runs on four hits and a hit by pitch while striking out 12 Gamecocks in 6.1 innings. Tanner Jones only lasted 2.2 innings in Saturday's win, but Shane Sdao picked up his fifth win by delivering four frames of scoreless ball.
Justin Lamkin gave up five runs in 3.1 innings, picking up his first loss of the season in Game 3. The offense surged behind Schott and LaViolette's homers in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively, but the damage was too far done.
The Aggies were one of eight SEC schools listed in the top 25 this week. Arkansas remained idle at the top spot while Tennessee stood pat at No. 4. Vanderbilt (No. 6) and Kentucky (No. 8) rounded out the top 10. Mississippi State (No. 22), Florida (No. 24), and Alabama (No. 25) rounded out the bottom five.
The Aggies return to Blue Bell Park for a five-game homestand beginning Tuesday at 6 p.m. against UTSA.