News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
OMAHA – The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team used a combination of early runs, stout pitching and late defensive heroics to secure a 3-2 victory over the Florida Gators in Saturday’s College World Series action at Charles Schwab Field.
The win marked the 50th of the season for the Aggies and the second time in eight trips they have won their opening game of the College World Series.
The contest was a nail-biter throughout, including the top of the ninth inning when Texas A&M right fielder Jace LaViolette pulled back a potential go-ahead two-run home run by Florida’s Cade Kurland to preserve the one-run lead.
Evan Aschenbeck, the 2024 NCBWA Stopper of the Year, tip-toed through 3.0 scoreless frames, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out four to earn his 10th save of the season.
The Aggies pounced on the Gators (34-29) for two runs in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, Caden Sorrell and Kaeden Kent sandwiched singles around an Ali Camarillo walk to fill the bags with Ags. Sorrell scampered home on a hot shot single to third base by Travis Chestnut and Camarillo scored on a wild pitch.
The Maroon & White tacked on a run in the third with Hayden Schott drawing a leadoff walk and scoring on Sorrell’s one-out double over the centerfielder’s head.
The Gators broke the scoring seal in the top of the seventh. Tyler Shelnut punched a leadoff double down the third base line. Dale Thomas plated Shelnut with a ground-rule double just past the glove of a diving Sorrell in the left field corner. Thomas advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brody Donay and scored a grounder to shortstop by Michael Robertson.
Justin Lamkin was stellar in an abbreviated start, yielding just one hit with six strikeouts in 3.0 innings. Chris Cortez (10-3) picked up the win in relief, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six over 3.0 innings.
Inside the Box Score
The Texas A&M staff recorded a program College World Series record for strikeouts with 16, topping a 12-K effort against Oklahoma in 2022.
The Aggies drew seven walks, turning two into runs.
Lamkin struck out six of the 10 batters he faced.
Aggie pitchers held Florida to 1-of-11 (.091) with runners in scoring position and 3-of-17 (.176) with runners on base.
Sorrell led Texas A&M at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one double, one run and one RBI.
Game Notes
The start of the game was delayed 4:07 due to lightning with the first pitch coming at 10:16 p.m.
The Aggies reached the 50-win plateau for the sixth time in school history and the first time since 2015.
Texas A&M won its first game of College World Series action for just the second time in eight trips.
In College World Series play, Texas A&M is now 5-14 all-time.
Under head coach Jim Schlossnagle, Texas A&M is now 15-4 in postseason play and 3-2 in College World Series games.
With his first inning walk, Laviolette claimed sole possession of the Texas A&M single-season walks record. He drew two in the game and has 59 for the season.
LaViolette has now reached base safely in 21 straight games, tying his longest stretch of the season.
The Aggies improved to 17-14 all-time against Florida.
Sorrell tallied his ninth career multi-hit game.
Aschenbeck worked his 25th multi-inning performance of the year.
Up Next
The Aggies face the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats in a winners bracket game Monday night at 6 p.m. from Charles Schwab Field.
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