News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Behind stellar pitching performances from Ryan Prager and Evan Aschenbeck, the No. 4 Texas A&M baseball team walked off No. 2 Arkansas 1-0 in 11 innings Friday night from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
Thursday’s shutout marked the 10th of the season for the Aggies (43-10, 18-10), which ties the 1976 squad for the second most in program history.
The Razorbacks (42-11, 19-9) put the go-ahead run on second in the 11th and threatened to take the lead on a deep fly ball to left center but freshman Caden Sorrell make a leaping catch into the wall to keep the game scoreless. In the bottom half, Gavin Grahovac drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a Jace LaViolette single. After LaViolette swiped second, Jackson Appel drew an intentional walk with two outs to load the bases for Ted Burton.
The senior came through with a five-pitch walk to win the game for the Maroon & White, marking his second walk-off of the season. Burton’s walk-off was also the fourth of the year for Texas A&M.
Prager was brilliant on the mound as the redshirt sophomore delivered seven shutout innings to go along with nine strikeouts. In the second, Prager registered his 100th punchout of the season, becoming the first Aggie since Dustin Saenz in 2021 to accomplish the feat. Aschenbeck, who earned the win to improve to 5-1 on the year, followed with four scoreless frames and four strikeouts to finish off the shutout.
Offensively, LaViolette (2-for-5) and Travis Chestnut (2-for-4) recorded the lone multi-hit performances of the night for the Aggies.
Inside the Box Score
Texas A&M scattered five hits and drew three walks in the win.
Ali Camarillo drew the only other hit on the night for the Aggies.
Appel, Burton and Grahovac drew the lone walks on the night.
Aschenbeck and Prager combined for 14 strikeouts in the win.
Game Notes
Thursday’s contest marked the 101st meeting all-time between the two programs.
With the win, the Maroon & White are now 51-49-1 against the Razorbacks.
The Aggies need two more wins in the series to clinch the SEC West Division title.
Thursday’s series opener was delayed 1:30 due to weather.
Burton’s walk-off marked his second of the season and the team’s fourth of the year.
Thursday’s shutout marked the 10th of the year, which ties the 1976 squad for the second most in program history.
The scoreless start marked the sixth of the year for Prager.
The redshirt sophomore also logged his seventh quality start of the year.
Up Next
The Aggies will look to clinch the series tomorrow night as game two is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.