News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
No. 10 Texas A&M claimed its final SEC series of the season over No. 13 Mississippi State with a back-and-forth 7-6 win behind seven hits and 13 walks Saturday afternoon from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. Prior to the game, the Maroon & White honored its 10 seniors for their contributions to the program.
The Aggies (39-13, 18-11) got on the board first in the third inning after consecutive walks from Caden Sorrell and Chris Hacopian. Jake Duer drove in the lone run of the frame after reaching on a fielding error, allowing Sorrell to score from third.
In the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs (39-16, 16-14) tallied a run of their own on an RBI groundout to tie the game at one a piece.
Following three consecutive walks to load the bases in bottom of the fourth, Texas A&M tacked on a pair of runs behind a fielder’s choice RBI from Sorrell and a base knock from Hacopian.
The visitors took their first lead of the contest in the fifth inning behind back-to-back homers, making it a 4-3 Mississippi State advantage.
The Maroon & White evened the ledger on a Ben Royo sacrifice fly and reclaimed the lead with a two-out single from Boston Kellner. The Bulldogs took the lead back in the eighth inning behind a two-run shot to right field.
In the home half of the eighth, the Aggies struck back as Sorrell drew a walk and Hacopian singled to center field to put two baserunners on with no outs. Travis Chestnut answered the call off the bench and laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners. Bear Harrison ripped a go-ahead single to left field to clear the bases and put the Aggies back in front, 7-6.
Ethan Darden made his second start of the weekend in the series finale, tossing a season-high 3.1 innings, allowing one run off four hits while punching out a lone batter. Gavin Lyons entered first in relief, surrendering three runs off four hits while striking out two in his 1.2 innings pitched. Cooper Powell dealt a 2.0-inning hold, sitting down a career-high three batters. Clayton Freshcorn closed the final 2.0 frames, securing his third win of the season and first in conference play.
UP NEXT
With the win, the Aggies begin their SEC Tournament slate Friday, May 22, at the Hoover Met as the No. 3 seed, securing a double bye.