Texas A&M Run-Rules McNeese, Secures Series Sweep
COLLEGE STATION -- Most teams need 27 outs to secure a victory on the diamond.
Texas A&M needed 21 on Sunday.
The No. 8 Aggies completed the series sweep in seven innings over McNeese State with a 10-0 victory Sunday at Blue Bell Park. For the second time in three days, A&M notched double-digit runs en route to a win.
"Guys got off to a good start for the most part offensively," said A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle. "A couple of guys didn't but they'll be fine."
Jace LaViolette is one of several surging Aggies (3-0) at the plate. After launching two home runs in Game 1 and drawing the eventual game-winning walk in Game 2, the sophomore from Katy waited four pitches to send another towering shot to right field to give A&M an early 2-0 lead.
"It just comes natural for the guy," said infielder Gavin Grahovac. "It's awesome him to see him in the box and do what he continues to do."
Despite being only his third college game, Grahovac has been essential to the Aggies' offensive power. He entered Sunday with a .167 average and upped the total over .500 with a 3-of-3 afternoon.
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Grahovac, the SEC Preseason Freshman of the Year, picked up his first RBI on a single in the third inning to extend A&M's lead to three. He also drew a pair of walks and came around to score twice.
“Gavin did a good job of getting on base,” Schlossnagle said for the freshman third baseman. “He had some really good takes where he didn't swing at those borderline pitches that are definitely balls.”
On the mound, left-hander Shane Sdao looked the part of a frontline starter. In five innings, the sophomore allowed four hits and a walk while striking out five.
The first at-bat came with some jitters. Cowboys left fielder Conner Westberg blasted a 92 mph fastball deep to right field, but the wind allowed the ball to hang long enough for Braden Montgomery to make a play.
After the flyout, Sdao allowed two hits through four frames, only allowing one player to reach third. On a 1-0 count, Parker Stroh drilled a liner in the infield, but shortstop Ali Camarillo timed it perfectly for a web gem moment.
"It was nice throwing to people not on the same team, and I don't know," Sdao said. "It kind of changed the game for me and I thought I was really good today."
LaViolette drove in two more with an RBI single in the seventh. Transfer Hayden Schott drove in the sophomore with an RBI double two batters later. Following a wild pitch that advanced the runner 90 feet, freshman Blake Binderup’s sacrifice fly would score Schott from third seven pitches later to end the game before the final out was recorded.
Last season, A&M's pitching remained a blemish, leading to an early-season slump. Through three games, the Aggies have allowed one run off 14 hits and struck out 36 batters.
A&M's starters combined for 13.1 innings, seven hits, and zero runs scored.
"We only gave up one run,” Schlossnagle said of the weekend. “I thought the crowd was awesome.”
The Aggies return to Blue Bell Park Tuesday for a midweek 4 p.m. pitch against Incarnate Word. Scholssnagle confirmed right-hander Chris Cortez would get the call against the Cardinals.