Ryan Prager Fans 10, Texas A&M Secures 17-2 Win Over Wagner
At some point, Texas A&M will crash back to reality with its up-tempo scoring and exceptional pitching.
It wasn't Friday night at Blue Bell Park.
After fanning eight in his first start back from Tommy John surgery, left-hander Ryan Prager tossed 6.2 scoreless innings while striking out 10 batters to secure a 17-2 win over Wagner.
The redshirt sophomore allowed just six hits and only one walk. In Game 1, he allowed just two runners to reach base.
"I'm still just trying to stay grateful for every opportunity to get out there and get to be with our guys," Prager said postgame. "Overall, we had a great time."
In front of 5,700 fans, the No. 8. Aggies (5-0) put on a show. Prager made quick work of the Seahawks' first frame, two of which came on the strikeout against off-speed pitches.
"We were a lot more slider-heavy today," Prager said. "Give and take: Take what they're giving us. Found some chances to mix in the change, but overall through everything, I felt good about it all."
Ethan Mito/Texas A&M Athletics
The strikeout ratio was surging, even if the numbers would suggest otherwise. Prager worked his way out of trouble by inducing weak contact to set up double plays and quick zips over to first base.
Shortstop transfer Ali Camarillo continued to flash the leather by initiating two double plays in the fourth and fifth, respectively.
"He's just pounding the zone, pitch after pitch, and it's so easy," Camarillo said of Prager's pitching.
At the plate, Camarillo continues to come into his own at the No. 9. hole. A&M manager Jim Schlossnagle preached the importance of having a reliable bat in the final spot for the top of the order to have runners on the path.
Camarillo, who finished 2-of-2 with a walk in Tuesday's 9-3 win over Incarnate Word, went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Through five games, Camarillo's .538 batting average leads the team. His .444 with runners in scoring position also leads the clubhouse.
“One through nine, we could do it all," said Camarillo. "We can hit homers. We can play small ball. We can hit doubles. We can do it all. This is the most complete lineup I’ve been a part of and it’s so exciting.”
He's not wrong about the jovial coincidence. Braden Montgomery continued to rip with a bases-clearing RBI triple to in the first to make it 2-0. Freshman third baseman Gavin Grahovac joined the longball club with his three-run blast in the second.
A nine-run seventh was headlined by Hank Bard's grand slam over the right-field wall. The Seahawks' trouble with the strike zone gifted the Aggies four runs on bases-loaded walks.
For Prager, each run allowed him to exhale a bit more.
"Like I said last week, it's always easier to pitch when we're scoring a ton of runs," Prager said. "It just continues to hammer to our point of 'dominate the zone,' and it gives you a position to just go attack."
So far this season, the Aggies have outscored opponents 57-6. Montgomery leads the team with eight RBI while Preseason All-Amercian Jace Laviolette leads the Aggies in homers with five.
On the mound, the team-leading honor goes to Prager, who's yet to let a run score since coming back from injury. Last Friday, Schlossnagle awarded him the chance to begin the season.
This Friday, Schlossnagle awarded Prager the moment to prove it wasn't a fluke.
Next Friday, Prager looks to prove his value as the new ace in Aggieland. No. 18 wasn't the number Prager expected when he arrived, but it seems like the odd couple is an ideal fit.
"It's an honor to get to wear it," Prager said "Funny enough, it is my grandmother's lucky number."
The Aggies return to Blue Bell Park hoping to secure their second consecutive series win on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Sophomore left-hander Justin Lamkin will make his second start, while Wagner turns to senior right-hander Conner Hayden.