Texas A&M looks to keep momentum going in second series of season
Texas A&M began their season with a sweep of Elon. Though the three games weren’t the prettiest of wins, the Aggies remain unblemished on the season.
Next up for Michael Earley’s squad is a meeting with Cal Poly. The Mustangs are 1-3 on the season after getting swept against UCLA before winning their midweek contest with Loyola Marymount. Cal Poly went 35-22 overall in 2024, finishing with a 20-10 conference record in the Big West.
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Texas A&M is expected to face Griffin Naess to start the series on Friday. Naess pitched four innings against UCLA in the season opener, giving up two runs on two hits. Naess struggled a bit with control, walking six batters. However, the 6’6 right also struck out six batters.
The expected Saturday and Sunday Starters for the Mustangs both struggled mightily against the Bruins with Josh Volmerding giving up six runs in four innings and Ethan Marmie surrendering seven runs in four innings.
The Texas A&M lineup should be able to feast against Cal Poly, though a patient approach will be needed on Friday night against Naess. Jace Laviolette is currently averaging a home run a game, we’ll see if he can keep that up this weekend.
Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
The Cal Poly lineup didn’t fare well against UCLA in their first series of the year, with just four runs over the three games but they did find success in their midweek contest with nine runs against LMU.
Catcher Jack Collins is hitting .429 through the first four games of the season and he’ll be one to watch in this Mustang lineup. Collins transferred to Cal Poly within conference from Long Beach State.
Another player to keep an eye on in this Cal Poly lineup is Alejandro Garza. Garza was the 2024 Big West Freshman of the Year and also earned first-team all-conference honors while hitting .346 and striking out just ten times over the course of last season.
This lineup could be a challenge for an Aggie pitching staff that struggled at times in the first week. Of course, that could just as easily be first-week jitters for a team that had a fantastic season last year and came into the season with loads of hype.
Either way, looking forward to seeing Texas A&M back in action at Blue Bell Park this weekend.
Probable Starters
- Friday: Ryan Prager LHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5.0 IP, 8 K, 2 BB) vs. Griffin Naess RHP (0-0, 4.50 ERA, 4.0 IP, 6 K, 6 BB)
- Saturday: Justin Lamkin LHP (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 4.0 IP, 9 K, 2 BB) vs. Josh Volmerding LHP (0-1, 13.50 ERA, 4.0 IP, 1 K, 1 BB)
- Sunday: Myles Patton (1-0, 1.80 ERA, 5.0 IP, 8 K, 0 BB) vs. Ethan Marmie (0-1, 15.75 ERA, 4.0 IP, 3 K, 2 BB)
How to Watch
- 4 p.m. Friday on SECN+
- 2 p.m. Saturday on SECN+
- 1 p.m. Sunday on SECN+