News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Jackson Appel matched a program record with three home runs, including the walk-off winner, as the No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team (29-4) defeated UTSA (19-14), 6-5, in midweek action Tuesday night from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
Appel became the 11th Aggie in program history to record three homers in one game and the first since fellow teammate Jace LaViolette accomplished the feat in 2023. The junior’s walk-off homer marked Texas A&M’s first since Brett Minich’s in 2022.
After the Aggies evened the score at 5-5 in eighth on an RBI triple from Caden Sorrell, Appel walked it off in the ninth as the senior lifted an 0-1 pitch over the wall in left for his third opposite field homer of the night. The Maroon & White catcher finished the evening 3-for-4 at the dish to go along with four RBI and a walk.
On the mound, Chris Cortez earned the win after striking out seven over four scoreless innings of relief. The victory moved the junior to 4-1 on the year.
The Roadrunners jumped in front in the second with a four-run frame that was aided by two critical Aggie errors. All four runs in the frame were unearned.
In the third, Appel got a run back for Texas A&M as the senior lifted a solo home run over the wall in left.
After UTSA tacked on a run in the fourth on an RBI single, Appel struck again in the fifth with another opposite field home run that bounced off the scoreboard in left. The long ball plated Braden Montgomery, who reached on a single through the right side.
Later in the frame, Ali Camarillo made it a one-run game, 5-4, with an RBI single down the line in right that brought home Ted Burton, who drew a walk following the Appel homer.
Inside the Box Score
Texas A&M totaled 11 hits and drew six walks on the night.
Appel led all players with three hits in the win.
The senior also scored a game-best three runs.
Hayden Schott and Montgomery also recorded multi-hit performances in the win.
As a staff, the Aggies recorded 13 strikeouts.
Starter Isaac Morton allowed four runs, all of which were unearned, in an inning of work.
Zane Badmaev struck out two over two scoreless innings.
Brock Peery punched out three batters over 1.1 scoreless frames.
Troy Wansing made his debut in relief.
Notes
With the win, the Aggies improved to 24-10 all-time against the Roadrunners.
In the series, the Maroon & White have won 10 of the last 12 meetings.
All three of Appel’s home runs were to the opposite field.
The multi-homer game marked his first in the Maroon & White.
Camarillo extended his on-base streak to 19 games.
Appel pushed his on-base streak to 18 games.
The senior’s multi-hit game marked his 11th of the year.
Montgomery has now reached base safely in 15 consecutive games.
Up Next
The Aggies welcome No. 6 Vanderbilt to Blue Bell Park for a three-game set starting Friday night at 6 p.m.