Texas A&M advances to Super Regionals with 9-4 win over ULL

The Aggies finally looked like themselves again

After starting 2-0 in regional play with wins over Grambling and Texas, A&M only needed to secure one more victory to reach (and host) a Super Regional for the second time in three years. On Sunday night, they did just that, and they did it by playing the way that got them to #1 in the country earlier this year: by smashing the cover off the baseball.

The Aggie bats had been white hot all season long, propelling the team to #1 in the polls, before falling into a slump in May. After squeaking out a 4-2 win over Texas Saturday night that included a few swings that were just shy of leaving the yard, Aggie fans were still left wondering if the explosive offense they had grown accustomed to (and know this team is capable of) would ever return.

It returned in a big way on Sunday night against the Ragin’ Cajuns. After three tense innings with the game tied at 1-1, A&M erupted with four runs in the 4th. The exclamation point was a three-run blast from superstar Braden Montgomery. The Aggies weren’t done, as Hayden Schott and Ali Camarillo both added solo-shots while Gavin Grahovac added a two-run homer.

Camarillo’s HR broke the single-season record for HRs in A&M history (128, set by the 1999 squad), while Grahovac’s broke the single-season record for HRs by a freshman in A&M history (21, set by Jace LaViolette literally last year).

The pitching was stellar as well. Starter Shane Sdao gave up 1 earned run through 5.1 with 6 Ks, while Chris Cortez pitched 2.2 innings of no-hit baseball with 6 Ks. Three of Louisiana’s runs came in the final inning, with the game well in hand. Brad Rudis struck out the final Ragin’ Cajun batter to clinch the regional for the Aggies.

With the Oregon clinching the Santa Barbara Regional just moments ago, Texas A&M will host the Ducks at Olsen Field for the Super Regional next weekend. Hopefully the bats have truly returned to form and the Aggies can smash their way to Omaha.