News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Gavin Grahovac homered twice and Ryan Prager delivered another strong performance on the mound as the No. 7 Texas A&M baseball team (20-2, 2-2) claimed the series opener against No. 21 Mississippi State (16-7, 2-2), 6-3, Thursday night from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
Prager improved to 5-0 on the year after allowing two runs, both unearned, over 6.1 innings of work. The redshirt sophomore also struck out eight on the night, including four in the first inning. In relief, Evan Aschenbeck picked up his third save of the season after punching out one in 1.1 scoreless frames.
Grahovac led the offensive attack for the Aggies, finishing 2-for-4 with a pair of homers and a season-high five RBI. The multi-homer performance marked the first of the freshman’s career. Braden Montgomery was the only other batter to record a multi-hit performance for the Maroon & White, also going 2-for-4 at the dish.
The Aggies struck first in the opening frame behind the bat of Grahovac, who launched a leadoff homer over the wall in left.
Mississippi State jumped in front, 2-1, in the third courtesy of a pair of RBI singles. Both runs in the frame were unearned due to an Aggie error.
After 12 consecutive Texas A&M batters were retired following Grahovac’s leadoff homer, Ted Burton got the bats going again in the fifth with a single up the middle. The senior later came around to score on an Ali Camarillo RBI single before Grahovac put the Maroon & White back in front, 6-2, with a mammoth grand slam over the scoreboard in left. The homer marked the eighth of the year for the freshman.
The Bulldogs got a run back in the eighth on a solo homer but Aschenbeck slammed the door shut the rest of the way to seal the 6-3 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Texas A&M logged eight hits and drew only one walk on the night.
Six different Aggies recorded a hit in the win.
Hank Bard drew the lone walk for the Maroon & White.
Five different Aggies crossed the plate in the win.
As a staff, Texas A&M struck out 12 batters.
In relief, Josh Stewart allowed one run in 1.1 frames and struck out three.
Notes
Thursday’s contest marked the 46th meeting all-time between the two squads.
With the win, the Aggies are now 25-21 all-time against the Bulldogs.
First pitch of the contest was delayed 30 minutes due to weather.
Prager’s win snapped a five-game stretch of no-decisions for Texas A&M starters.
The redshirt sophomore struck out four in the opening frame and punched out the side in the fifth.
Grahovac has now reached base safely in 11 straight games and logged a hit in seven consecutive contests.
The multi-hit performance marked the team-leading 10th of the year for the freshman.
Up Next
The Aggies will look to take the series tomorrow as game two is set for 6 p.m. from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
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