Aggies Are Run out of “Sweepville” with a Loss in Game 3
The Aggies return home to College Station winless against a very talented Tennessee squad. While you can never be too mad at SEC road losses, this one stings a little more. The Aggies led in every game this series, scoring first in every game. Before we jump into the negatives, I want to highlight the trio of Haas, Moss, and Bost. Haas has been the surprise of the season for the aggies sporting a batting average over .400. He was expected to be a glove first guy and he has looked great on both sides of the field two weeks into SEC play. He has been perfect in the field and a bright spot. Jack Moss saw the ball well all weekend with RBIs in every game.
Friday night was a tall task for the Aggies facing Dollander. Early on, the bats rose to the challenge putting up a 2 spot for the Ace, Dettemer. The Vols responded with a 5 spot followed by a 2 spot to push the lead to 7-3 in the second. His 9 runs was a team high and it raised his era from 3.24 up to 5.40. Saturday was more of the same, Aggies got runs in the fourth, Vols responded, and the starter was pulled. Evan Ashchenbeck was tremendous for the Aggies in relief, keeping the Vols bats at bay. A 4 run 6th and a Moss double in the 7th made the Aggie lead 7-4. As Ashchenbeck began to fade, Jim Schlossnagle turned to his 2 typically reliable arms in Rudis and Will Johnstonn. Neither of them were able to hold the lead and the Aggies lost the series. Sunday was the same old song and dance. The Aggies jumped on the starter in the first, then went quiet while the pitching staff couldn't hold a lead. The Aggies dropped game three 9-6, but the game really didn’t seem that close. A 3 run 9th made it respectable but again, 9 runs is not how this Aggie team is built to win.
The Aggies return home to play Texas in the Midweek before Ole Miss in the weekend set. Both teams need this series in the worst kind of way. Ole Miss is 0-6 and A&M 1-5. We will preview the weekend series on Thursday and be on the lookout for a special “Know Your Enemy” on Tuesday.