Texas A&M Postpones Pitching Decision Ahead of NCAA Regional Clash with Texas State
The Aggies advance to the winner’s bracket following a dramatic 6-5 comeback victory over Lamar, but the identity of the Saturday night opener remains unresolved.
Texas A&M baseball has secured its place in the winner’s bracket of the College Station Regional after a resilient 6-5 victory over Lamar on Friday. However, head coach Michael Earley has indicated that the starting pitcher for the team’s Saturday night matchup against Texas State will not be named until hours before the scheduled 8:00 p.m. CT start. The delay suggests a strategic calculation heavily influenced by the results of the concurrent game between Texas State and USC.
The victory over Lamar required a significant rally, as the Aggies trailed 5-0 entering the fifth inning. Junior first baseman Gavin Grahovac ignited the comeback with a solo home run, followed by a two-run homer from Chris Hacopian that narrowed the deficit. The scoring continued in the seventh inning when freshman third baseman Nico Partida drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 5-5. Texas A&M eventually took the lead on defensive errors by Lamar, with Travis Chesnut and Ben Royo scoring on the miscues.
Relief pitching proved critical in securing the win. After starter Shane Sdao allowed five runs, Gavin Lyons and closer Clayton Freshcorn stabilized the bullpen. Freshcorn pitched the final two innings to shut down Lamar, preserving the victory that marks Texas A&M’s first postseason win since the 2024 season. The performance allows the Aggies to await the winner of the Texas State versus USC contest to determine their next opponent’s status.
Speculation regarding the Saturday starter has intensified, particularly concerning sophomore left-handed pitcher Aiden Sims. Sims has been sidelined for the past four games due to reported arm tightness, though specific medical details have not been fully disclosed. While he was not available for the Lamar game, he remains a potential candidate to start on Saturday, contingent on his medical clearance and the strategic needs of the bracket.
Earley confirmed that the final decision will likely be made on Saturday morning, following medical updates from team trainers. The choice of pitcher may hinge on whether Texas State or USC advances, as the matchup dynamics could influence roster management for the remainder of the regional tournament. The Aggies are now focused on finalizing their rotation before facing the winner of the Texas State-SCC game.
