News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
NASHVILLE – The Texas A&M baseball team dropped its series opener at No. 22 Vanderbilt, 5-3, Thursday evening at Hawkins Field.
The Aggies (11-10, 0-4) struck first in the opening frame as Jace LaViolette turned on an 0-1 fastball and blasted it over the stands in right for a two-run homer. The long ball marked the 56th of the junior’s career, tying Daylan Holt for the program record.
The Commodores (17-5, 2-2) responded with a three-run homer in the third and tacked on another run in the fourth courtesy of an RBI single as they jumped in front 4-2.
In the fifth, the Maroon & White put a pair on via the walk and were able to scratch across a run on a Vanderbilt throwing error, cutting the deficit to 4-3.
A Texas A&M error in the sixth led to an insurance run for the Commodores as their lead stretched to 5-3. The Aggies were unable to respond as they were retired in order over the final three frames.
Starter Ryan Prager (2-1) was handed the loss despite battling through seven innings. The lefty allowed five runs, four earned, and struck out four on the night.
Inside the Box Score
- Texas A&M totaled five hits and drew three walks.
- LaViolette and Hayden Schott recorded multi-hit games.
- Wyatt Henseler crossed the plate twice on the night.
- Weston Moss recorded a scoreless frame in relief and struck out two.
Notes
- Thursday’s series opener marked the 27th meeting all-time between the clubs.
- Despite the loss, the Aggies still lead the series 16-11.
- The contest marked the first road game of the season for the Maroon & White.
- LaViolette’s home run in the first was the 56th of his career, tying Daylan Holt for the program record.
- The junior logged his eighth multi-RBI game of the season.
- Schott extended his on-base streak to 12 games.
- The designated hitter recorded his fifth multi-hit game of the season.
- Prager worked seven innings for the third straight start.
Up Next
Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday night at 6 p.m. at Hawkins Field.