News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The No. 1 Texas A&M baseball team (36-5) held off a late rally Tuesday night to defeat Houston (20-21) 13-11 in midweek action from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
Brad Rudis earned the win out of the bullpen after allowing one run over 1.1 innings of work. Left-hander Evan Aschenbeck picked up his sixth save of the year after delivering 1.1 scoreless frames to go along with two strikeouts. In relief, Weston Moss, Justin Lamkin, Brock Peery and Zane Badmaev made scoreless appearances.
Freshman Caden Sorrell put together a big night offensively as the Aggie outfielder went 4-for-4 with an RBI and finished a home run shy of the cycle. The four-hit game marked the first of the rookie’s career. Jackson Appel followed with a three-hit night, while Gavin Grahovac rounded out the multi-hit performers with a 2-for-4 evening.
After Houston plated three runs on four hits in the opening frame, the Aggies responded with five in the second to jump in front 5-3. Ali Camarillo and Sorrell each registered an RBI before the final three runs scored on a wild pitch, throwing error and wild pitch.
In the third, Hayden Schott plated Appel and Ted Burton with a three-run homer off the scoreboard in left. The senior’s sixth long ball of the year extended the Texas A&M advantage to 8-3.
After the Cougars cut into the lead with a solo blast in the top half of the fourth, Grahovac delivered the response for the Maroon & White in the bottom half with a two-run homer. The long ball marked the 15th of the year for the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week.
The Aggies added to the lead, 11-4, in the fifth as Burton, who reached on an error, crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Braden Montgomery added to his SEC-leading RBI total with an RBI double in the sixth. The RBI marked No. 68 on the year for the junior.
In the seventh, Houston plated a pair of runs on a Texas A&M error to trim the lead to 12-6.
The Aggies got a run back in the bottom half of the seventh as Sorrell came home on a sac fly from Travis Chestnut.
In the eighth, the Cougars used a pair of homers to push across five runs and pull within two, 13-11.
Aschenbeck worked around a pair of singles in the ninth to secure the save and finish off the win for the Maroon & White.
Inside the Box Score
The Aggies totaled 13 hits and drew seven walks on the night.
Appel, Grahovac and Sorrell logged multi-hit performances.
Burton, Chestnut and Schott each registered a game-high two walks.
Appel, Burton, Chestnut and Sorrell each crossed the plate twice.
As a staff, the Maroon & White struck out eight batters.
Nine different Aggies made an appearance on the mound.
Game Notes
Tuesday’s contest marked the 176th meeting all-time between the two clubs.
With the win, the Maroon & White are now 117-58-1 against the Cougars.
At home, Texas A&M is now 45-24 against Houston.
Grahovac’s multi-hit game marked his 18th of the year.
Appel pushed his hitting streak to 14 and his on-base streak to 25.
Ali Camarillo has now reached base safely in 27 straight games.
Montgomery extended his on-base streak to 23.
Jace LaViolette stretched his on-base streak to 18.
Burton has now reached base safely in 17 in a row.
Up Next
The Aggies continue their five-game homestand with a weekend set against No. 17 Georgia starting Friday night at 6 p.m.
Follow the Aggies
Visit for more information on Texas A&M baseball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M baseball team on Facebook, Instagram and X by following @aggiebaseball.