Aggies Fall Short in SEC Opener Against Oklahoma, 8-7
NORMAN, Okla. – A promising start wasn’t enough for No. 22 Texas A&M as they dropped their Southeastern Conference opener to No. 9 Oklahoma, 8-7, on Friday night. The Aggies (15-2, 0-1 SEC) built an early lead but couldn’t hold off a late rally from the Sooners (16-2, 1-0 SEC) at Kimrey Family Stadium.
Early Aggie Offense, Sooner Response
Texas A&M exploded in the first inning, scoring four runs thanks to four walks, a hit, a passed ball, and a double from second baseman Chris Hacopian. The Aggies extended their lead to 5-2 with an RBI double by Bear Harrison in the third. But, Oklahoma quickly responded, scoring two runs in the first and two more in the third to stay within striking distance.
Mid-Game Momentum Shifts
Wesley Jordan added two runs for Texas A&M in the sixth, pushing the lead to 7-4. But the Sooners answered immediately with back-to-back home runs from Brendan Brock and Jaxon Willits, tying the game at 7-7. A key moment during this inning involved Aggies reliever Josh Stewart exiting the game after just four pitches due to an apparent injury.
Sooner Walk-Off Win
The decisive inning came in the bottom of the eighth. After a leadoff single and a hit-by-pitch, an intentional walk loaded the bases for Oklahoma. Dasan Harris then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Jason Walk and giving the Sooners an 8-7 lead. Oklahoma reliever Jason Bodin shut down the Aggies in the ninth, securing the win.
Pitching Struggles on Both Sides
Both starting pitchers struggled to find their rhythm. Texas A&M’s Shane Sdao pitched 3 ⅔ innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Oklahoma’s Cameron Johnson lasted just 2 ⅓ innings, giving up five runs on one hit and seven walks – a significant increase from his season total of just five walks allowed prior to Friday’s game.
Key Players and Stats
- Chris Hacopian (Texas A&M): 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B, 2 BB
- Wesley Jordan (Texas A&M): 1-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB
- Jaxon Willits (Oklahoma): 3-for-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI
- Brendan Brock (Oklahoma): 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 3B, 3 RBI
Looking Ahead: Saturday’s Matchup
Texas A&M will look to even the series on Saturday with Weston Moss taking the mound.
FAQ
Q: What caused Texas A&M to lose the lead?
A: Oklahoma’s consistent response to A&M’s scoring, coupled with back-to-back home runs in the sixth and a sacrifice fly in the eighth, ultimately shifted the momentum.
Q: Who was the winning pitcher for Oklahoma?
A: Jason Bodin earned the win for Oklahoma, pitching 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
Q: Was there any injury during the game?
A: Yes, Aggies reliever Josh Stewart exited the game after just four pitches in the sixth inning due to an apparent injury.
Q: How many walks did Oklahoma’s starting pitcher allow?
A: Cameron Johnson allowed seven walks in just 2 ⅓ innings pitched.
Pro Tip: Retain an eye on the bullpen matchups in Saturday’s game. Both teams showed vulnerability in their relief pitching on Friday.
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at [email protected].
