Texas A&M Aggies vs. Texas Longhorns

Texas A&M, despite some shaky pitching early in the game, cruised to an 8-0 shutout victory over the Grambling State Tigers and Texas found 12 runs in a three-inning series to add a mark to the Louisiana Ragin’ postseason record Cajun like both. The Aggies and Longhorns won their first game.

If the Aggies win, they will punch their ticket to the regional final, where they will have the opportunity to face Louisiana or Texas again to sweep the regional and advance to the NCAA Super Regionals, but if not, they will be eliminated. Forced to fight for two more games to advance and survive.

Playing in Texas aside, that’s the last thing Jim Schlossnagle and his team want. They know what it will take to avoid it and they expect to be able to put in the effort to run the business.

“Every single out matters in this,” the Aggies coach said. “(Whether) you’re winning by a lot, losing by a lot or if it’s a close game.”

June 22, 2022; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Jim Schlossnagle watches batting practice before the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Charles Schwab Field. / Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The Aggies will spend Saturday watching or practicing before the first pitch of their matchup against the Longhorns. After that, it all comes down to what they bring to the diamond.

First pitch is scheduled for 8 pm CT from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.

— LIVE GAME UPDATES WILL APPEAR BELOW AFTER FIRST RELEASE —

Texas is the designated home team in this winner’s bracket matchup and Junior Lebarron Johnson Jr. (R) starts on the mound for the Longhorns at 6-5, 210 pounds.

Gavin Grahovac works the count to the max and gets punched into a strike three in the corner.

Jace LaViolette strikes out swinging.

Braden Montgomery works the count to the maximum and draws a walk as the pitch goes to the ground for Johnson.

Jackson Appel grounded out to first.

Ryan Prager (L) starts on the mound for the Aggies.

Jared Thomas hits a home run to left center field on the first pitch he sees.

Jalin Flores takes a 3-0 count and then walks on four pitches.

Peyton Powell rolls into a 4-6-3 double play.

Max Belyeu grounds out to the pitcher.

Ted Burton fly out to right field.

Hayden Schott strikes out swinging.

Ali Camarillo fly out to deep center field.

Kimble Schuessler doubles down the left field line.

Porter Brown bunts, out at 1B, Schuessler advances to 3B.

Rylan Galvan works Prager to his first full count of the night and then gets a walk.

Will Gasparino strikes out swinging.

Dee Kennedy grounds out to first base.

Caden Sorrell groundes out to deep shift at second base.

Travis Chestnut grounds out to the pitcher.

Grahovac works the full count on Johnson (his fourth of the night), then strikes out swinging.

Thomas fly out to center field.

Flores strikes out, to the delight of the Aggies faithful in the stands at Blue Bell Park.

Powell singles up the middle.

Belyeu hits a pick play to 2B to end the threat.

Lebarrón Johnson Jr. 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 1 BB

LaViolette strikes out swinging.

Montgomery gets another full count on Johnson (his fifth), then singles up the middle for Texas A&M’s first hit of the night.

Appel gets a 3-0 count from Johnson and then draws a walk. Montgomery to 2B.

Burton fly out to center field, runners unable to advance.

Schott strikes out swinging, 6th K by Johnson.

Ryan Prager 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 2 BB

Schuessler strikes out on three pitches, Prager’s third K of the night.

Brown strikes out swinging on three pitches, Prager’s fourth.

Galván strikes out on three pitches. Prager’s 5th.

It’s an immaculate entry for Prager. Nine pitches, three strikeouts.

Camarillo strikes out swinging, Johnson’s seventh K.

Sorrell works a 3-0 count from Johnson, then homers to left field.

Chestnut reaches 1B on an E5.

Chestnut steals 2B.

Grahovac jumps to 1B.

LaViolette counts Johnson 3-0 (97 pitches) and then draws a four-pitch walk.

The runners advance on a wild pitch, LaViolette to 2B and Chestnut to 3B.

Montgomery strikes out looking, the eighth for Johnson.

Gasparino grounds out to 3B.

Kennedy walks.

Thomas goes out in foul territory towards the receiver.

Flores fouls LF as Prager completes an eight-pitch inning.

Lebarron Johnson Jr. 5IP 2H 1ER 3BB 8K is replaced by Gage Boehm on the mound.

Appel goes to a short stop.

Burton takes the count to 3-0 on Boehm and then draws a walk.

Schott lands on a fielder’s choice, Burton out at 2B, Schott at 1B as the Longhorns can’t get the double play.

Camarillo works the full count, then singles to right field, Schott advances to 3B.

Sorrell strikes out swinging.

Ryan Prager 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 3 BB

Powell strikes out swinging, 6th K by Prager.

Belyeu grounds out to 1B.

Schuessler homers to left field.

Brown strikes out looking, 7th K by Prager.

Hank Bard pinch-hits for Travis Chestnut and strikes out looking.

TU release now has 10K overnight.

Grahovac strikes out swinging (0-4).

LaViolette fly out to left field.

Ryan Prager 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 3 BB, 81P

Galván gets a leadoff walk.

Gasparino makes a sacrifice bunt, out at 1B, Galván advances to 2B.

Ryan Prager 6.1IP, 4H, 2ER, 4BB, 7K replaced by LHP Evan Aschenbeck

Kennedy fly out to center field, Galván advances to 3B.

Thomas runs the full count on Aschenbeck after falling 0-2, then flies to center field.

Montgomery (1-2, BB) was safe at 1B on a short stop throwing error.

Appel (0-2, BB) brings the count to 3-0 on Boehm and then draws the four-pitch walk. Montgomery advances to 2B.

Burton (0-2, BB) fly out to deep center field on the track, Montgomery advances to 3B.

Visit to the TU mound.

Schott (0-3, 2K) is eliminated for a time violation with a count of 0-2.

Camarillo (1-3, 1K) hits the ball to short, the throw to first is off line and Camarillo is safe at 1B, Montgomery scores. The Longhorns’ second E6.

Sorrell (1-3, HR) strikes out swinging.

Flores (0-2, 1BB, 1K) fly to center field.

Powell (1-3, 1K) grounds out to 2B.

Belyeu (0-3) was elevated to 2B.

Kent will bat for the Aggies.