NO. 18 TEXAS A&M EDGES NO. 2 TEXAS IN THRILLER AT OLSEN FIELD

Photo Credits: Anastasia Acosta

Matthew Castillo

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — In front of a raucous crowd of 7,662 fans at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, No. 18 Texas A&M outlasted No. 2 Texas in a back-and-forth battle, securing a 9-8 victory in Friday night’s series opener. 

The Aggies (26-7, 8-5 SEC) used timely hitting and patience at the plate to overcome multiple deficits, while the Longhorns (27-6, 9-4 Big 12) delivered several power punches that kept the game tight until the final inning. 

Texas struck first in the top of the third inning with a sacrifice fly, but Texas A&M quickly responded in the bottom half. Boston Kellner sparked the rally with a leadoff triple before Gavin Grahovac drove him in with a double to even the score. Caden Sorrell followed with an RBI groundout to give the Aggies their first lead of the night. 

The Longhorns answered in the fourth with an RBI double to tie the game, but Nico Partida put the Aggies back on top in the bottom half with a 371-foot solo home run to left field, leaving the bat at 106 mph. 

Texas regained momentum in the fifth with a two-run homer to take a 4-3 lead. Grahovac continued his standout night in the bottom of the inning, notching his second triple of the season before scoring on Sorrell’s second RBI groundout to even the contest once again. 

Another two-run blast from the Longhorns in the sixth pushed Texas ahead 6-4, but the Aggies delivered their decisive response in the bottom of the frame. With the bases loaded, Bear Harrison and Kellner each drew walks to force in runs, and Grahovac added a sacrifice fly to bring home Jorian Wilson and give Texas A&M a 7-6 advantage. 

Photo Credits: Anastasia Acosta

After holding Texas scoreless in the seventh, the Aggies added insurance on a sacrifice fly from Wilson that plated Kaeden Kent. Sorrell later came around to score on a Longhorns error, extending the lead to 9-6. 

Texas mounted a late push, but the Aggies’ bullpen held firm down the stretch to seal the 9-8 win. 

Grahovac led Texas A&M offensively, going 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and multiple RBIs, while Sorrell drove in key runs at critical moments. 

The victory gives the Aggies an early edge in the highly anticipated rivalry series, with Game 2 set for Saturday at Olsen Field.