Texas A&M Baseball Recap: Royo's heroics in Game 1, LSU's late surge in Game 2
Texas A&M Baseball Recap: Royo's heroics in Game 1, LSU's late surge in Game 2
Texas A&M (26-20, 9-14 SEC) split the doubleheader against No. 2 LSU (38-10, 15-8 SEC) on Saturday in front of a packed crowd at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park in Bryan-College Station.
It was a true pitcher's duel across both games, with neither offense able to break away. The starting pitchers delivered stellar performances, keeping the score tight throughout. On the hitting side, Ben Royo has been on fire lately, and his recent performances might earn him a move up in the lineup. More at-bats for him could be a major advantage for coach Michael Earley and the Aggies.
Game 1 Recap
Texas A&M struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Ben Royo doubled to center field, bringing Kaeden Kent home after he reached on a walk. The game remained locked until the sixth inning when LSU's Jared Jones launched a solo home run to tie it up.
In the seventh, LSU threatened with a runner on base and a double down the third baseline. Instead of holding at third, they sent the runner home, but Jamal George delivered a clutch throw that hit the cutoff man, who threw him out at the plate.
The Aggies capitalized immediately. Royo led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple, putting himself in prime scoring position. Coach Earley made a strategic move, pinch-hitting Hayden Schott for Jamal George, and Schott delivered an RBI single to reclaim the lead at 2-1. Wyatt Henseler followed with a single, setting up Caden Sorrell, who hit a routine sac fly to center. The ball was dropped, allowing the runners to advance and Sawyer Farr to score, extending the lead to 3-1.
On the mound, ace Ryan Prager lasted an impressive seven innings, striking out five while allowing LSU one earned run off the solo homer.
Both teams remained scoreless for the rest of the game, securing the Aggies' 3-1 victory.
GAME NOTES:
Ben Royo led the team with 2 hits
Texas A&M had 6 hits and struck out 16 times
Ryan Prager was the winning pitcher - 7.0 innings / 5 strikeouts / 3 BB
Kaiden Wilson picked up the save - 1.1 innings / 1 strikeout / 1 BB
Game 2 Recap
A similar script to the first, with dominant pitching keeping both offenses in check. The teams combined for just nine hits, and scoring opportunities were scarce.
Texas A&M had its best chance in the bottom of the fifth, putting two runners on with one out. However, back-to-back strikeouts by Hayden Schott and Terrance Kiel II ended the threat, leaving both runners stranded.
LSU capitalized in the sixth, using two doubles and small-ball tactics to push two runs across the plate. Ben Royo responded with a solo home run to cut the deficit to one, but that was the last offensive spark for the Aggies. Over the final three innings, A&M struggled at the plate, racking up strikeouts on the way to a 2-1 loss.
LSU junior SP Anthony Eyanson was stellar on the mound, striking out a career-high 14 batters while lasting the entire nine innings for a complete game.
GAME NOTES:
Ben Royo, Caden Sorrell, and Bear Harrison logged the only three hits of the game
Texas A&M had 3 hits, 1 home run, and struck out 14 times
Justin Lamkin was the losing pitcher - 5.1 innings / 6 strikeouts / 1 BB
Caden McCoy was lights out in relief - 3.2 innings / 6 strikeouts / 0 BB
The rubber match will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT and can be viewed on SEC Network+
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
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