Texas A&M rides 9-run inning to sweep of Oregon, clinches trip to Omaha
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Texas A&M was down early in a Game 2 Super Regional matchup against Oregon. A loss would have forced a winner-take-all Game 3, but the Aggies were not interested in letting things stretch beyond Sunday night.
Without Braden Montgomery available, the Aggies shifted the lineup and scraped a single run across in the top of the 1st inning. However, that lead would not last long with Oregon hitting 3 straight home runs for a 4-1 lead coming out of the bottom of the 1st.
The two sides would trade blows with Oregon taking leads of 7-2 entering the 4th inning and 8-4 entering the 7th inning. However, the Aggies would deliver a knockout blow in the 7th.
Oregon’s Brock Moore began running out of steam and was unable to find the plate in a disastrous inning for the Ducks. He walked 5 batters and hit another Aggie with 4 of those free passes forcing a run across and tying the game at 8-apiece.
The Ducks would turn to Jaxon Jordan out of the bullpen, but he was not able to stop the bleeding. He would walk the first batter he faced, giving A&M the lead with another walk. Then, Kaeden Kent stepped to the plate and delivered a massive swing.
He drilled a grand slam out of right field, staking A&M to a 13-8 lead and a 9-run frame to take control of the game.
NINE RUNS IN THE 7TH INNING FOR @AGGIEBASEBALL
ABSOLUTE SCENES IN COLLEGE STATION pic.twitter.com/PyfhxG6MA0
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) June 10, 2024
Hayden Schott would tack on a 2-run homer in the 8th inning for insurance, but the Aggies had all the offense they would need. After A&M’s first 3 pitchers combined to surrender 6 earned runs, a quartet of relievers would combine to allow just 2 runs (1 earned) across the final 6 innings. Evan Aschenbeck covered 3 innings to finish off the win with 1 earned run and 4 strikeouts.
Now, Texas A&M is headed to its 8th CWS appearance and a 2nd in the last 3 seasons. The Aggies are still looking for their first trip to the CWS Finals and first national title.
Main photo via Texas A&M baseball (@AggieBaseball) via X (Formerly Twitter).
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
