News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
HOOVER, Ala. – The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team dropped its opening game of the SEC Tournament, 5-3, to No. 5 seed Mississippi State Wednesday evening from the Hoover Met in Hoover, Ala.
Chris Cortez suffered the loss after allowing two runs, both unearned, over 2.1 innings of work. In the outing, the junior totaled a game-best five strikeouts. Starter Brad Rudis earned a no-decision after allowing one run in two frames of action.
Ali Camarillo was a bright spot offensively for the Aggies (44-12) as the junior went 2-for-3 at the dish with a double. Braden Montgomery, Hayden Schott and Ted Burton registered the only other hits on the night for the Maroon & White.
After the Bulldogs (38-19) plated the first run of the night on a wild pitch in the second, they added to their lead, 3-0, in the third with a two-run homer to left.
The Aggies got a run back in the third as Camarillo, who reached on a double, crossed the plate on a Jace LaViolette RBI fielder’s choice.
In the sixth, the Maroon & White evened the score at 3-3 behind an RBI sacrifice fly from Jackson Appel and an RBI double from Schott.
With the bases loaded in the ninth, Mississippi State broke the tie with a two-out two-run single up the middle. In the bottom half, Texas A&M went down in order as they fell 5-3.
Inside the Box Score
The Aggies scattered five hits and drew only three walks on the evening.
Five different pitchers made an appearance for Texas A&M.
As a staff, the Maroon & White totaled 12 strikeouts.
Cortez struck out a game-high five batters.
Zane Badmaev worked two scoreless frames in relief.
Kaiden Wilson allowed two runs and struck out four batters in two innings of work.
Game Notes
Wednesday’s contest marked the 49th meeting all-time between the two clubs.
Despite the loss, the Aggies still lead the all-time series 26-23.
In the SEC Tournament, the Maroon & White are now 18-13.
In their opening game of the SEC Tournament, the Aggies are now 6-4.
LaViolette has now reached base safely in 14 straight games.
Camarillo’s multi-hit performance marked his 18th of the season.
Up Next
The Aggies will face No. 1 seed Tennessee in an elimination game tomorrow afternoon at approximately 1 p.m. from the Hoover Met.