Texas A&M Situational Hitting Secures Series Win Over McNeese State
COLLEGE STATION -- Texas A&M knew the combination of Jace LaViolette and Braden Montgomery would be lethal entering conference play.
It's already reached new heights through two games in 2024.
Montgomery continued his hot streak at the plate with a two-run RBI double in the seventh to extend the Aggies' lead to four en route to a 6-1 series-clinching win over McNeese State. The Stanford transfer finished 2 of 4 on the afternoon and kept his batting average at .500 for another nine innings.
"I think that's a really good win for us," said A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle. "Really tough day to hit. Tough day to hit for both teams."
Ethan Mito/Texas A&M Athletics
LaViolette, the sophomore from Katy, broke the 1-1 tie in the seventh with a bases-loaded walk off Cowboys reliever Ty Abraham before reaching third on the Montgomery RBI double.
On Friday, LaViolette showed off the power with his two-home run outing in a 15-0 victory.
Fans knew the duo would be the talk of the baseball world after garnering preseason consensus honors. So far, they've combined for six hits and six RBI in 12 at-bats in the new campaign.
"Everybody loves the home runs, right? I do too. They're really cool,” said LaViolette. “They're awesome, but I also love the singles, the walks. Anyway that I can produce a run to help this team win."
A pair of doubles from Ryan Targac and Max Kaufer broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth. The Aggies maintained the lead until an RBI single from Cowboys' Braden Duhon off Evan Aschenbeck scored Connor Westenberg from second.
Aschenbeck, one of the nation's top relievers, was near-flawless entering the seventh after relieving starter Justin Lampkin midway through the four. History was almost made in the fifth as the junior was a pitch away from a perfect inning.
Cowboys' Peyton LeJeune watched a ball glide just under the batter's box to keep the at-bat alive on an 0-2 count.
"It's Evan Aschenbeck," said catcher Max Kaufer. "When he came out there, he was in a jam. (Schlossnagle) said, 'Just how you like it.'
“He did that so many times last year. Glad to see him pick up where he left off."
A throwing error in the eighth scored Travis Chesnut from third and allowed Targac to swipe another base. Transfer Ali Camarillo smacked a fastball through the left side to extend the lead by five.
As a unit, A&M totaled eight hits and left seven on-base. Seven of the nine starters reached base on hits.
Newcomers Ted Burton and Blake Binderup extended their hitting streaks to two games with a single and triple, respectively. Jackson Appel finished with a pair of walks while Targac scored a team-leading two runs.
The No. 8 Aggies return to Blue Bell Park for a 1 p.m. series finale Sunday. Left-hander Shane Sdao will take the mound to go for the sweep.