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THURSDAY, APRIL 23

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After leading country in Scouting Combine invites, A&M slated for most prolific draft weekend in school history A4,5

Local indie vinyl store leads analog music community in Bryan, celebrates Record Store Day with exclusive releases B1

Rocio Salgado — THE BATTALION

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

Left to right: Safety Marcus Ratcliffe’s (3) cleats for Aggies for a Cause during Texas A&M football’s Maroon & White Game at Kyle Field on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Defensive end Marco Jones (10) picks up his helmet after Texas A&M football’s Maroon & White Game at Kyle Field on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

‘Aggies for a Cause’ gives players purpose

out there with some different designs and just Evans said. ton’s cleats were also hard to miss. He terrorColorful cleats with bigger some different things that are true to them, The next cleat that stood out was a pair ized the defense throughout the scrimmage in I think that all plays into what today is featuring a smooth gradient from black to a lovely set of cleats that faded from blue to meaning shine bright at annu- and about. I think getting them the opportunity yellow with a cross and writing that read highlighter pink, a white “Aggies” script on to go out there in unique cleats to represent “One&All.” Causing havoc in the Steel- one side and the Jack and Jill of America oral Maroon & White Game causes that are really important to them was ers-esque cleats was sophomore linebacker ganization’s logo on the other. The Alabama

By Matthew Seaver Sports Editor In Year 3 under head coach Mike Elko, Texas A&M football announced a special initiative for its annual Maroon & White Game: The “Aggies for a Cause” campaign, which gave 42 Aggies the opportunity to rep custom footwear endorsing a wide variety of organizations and causes they are passionate about. So while both sides made highlight-reel plays in A&M’s iconic colors, it was their cleats — which spanned every spectrum of the rainbow — that popped most on the greenery of Kyle Field at 11 a.m. “Yeah, I thought that was a cool deal,” Elko said. “I thought you saw a lot of kids

a little cool thing that we were able to come across and do today.” The first notable pair was a deep red set donned by redshirt freshman long snapper Gray Evans. The Houston native dedicated his cleats to Blood Cancer United, just over a year after having beaten the disease himself. Evans was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma in February 2025 and rang the bell after four months of intense chemotherapy. “As a cancer survivor myself, it’s awesome to represent all the people that have gone through blood cancer and are going through it and just be a light to them, show them that nothing’s impossible and that they can get through whatever they’re going through,”

Noah Mikhail, who housed an errant throw from freshman quarterback Helaman Casuga for a pick-six in the first quarter. After the game, Mikhail mentioned how much the opportunity to voice his support meant to him. “One&All is my church back in California that I go to,” Mikhail said. “While I was in high school, I actually put on a youth camp, and the youth camp donations went to the church. Those donations were for summer youth camps for kids who couldn’t afford it. That’s something I’m really passionate about, just, you know, preaching to [the] younger generation about God and even if they don’t have opportunities to pay for it, making that possible.” Graduate student wide receiver Isaiah Hor-

transfer opened up about his philanthropic choice after the game and what the organization means to him. “Jack and Jill of America, that was an organization I grew up in,” Horton said. “It’s an organization, and we give back. We do it for the community, you know? We grow up in unfortunate families, and we just, you know, teach them things and learn new things and things of that nature.” While the final score from Kyle Field read 15-13 in the Maroon team’s favor, the opportunity for self-expression also stood out for every Aggie. And regardless of color or cause, every player who participated enjoyed the chance to support organizations or philanthropy that they hold deep ties to.

A&M seeks fifth straight SEC series victory Aggies continue daunting road test in pivotal ranked matchup versus Gators

By Brody Vaughn Sports Writer Coming off of its hottest run of the season, No. 7 Texas A&M baseball travels to Gainesville, Florida, to take on No. 21 Florida. Only half a game behind the Southeastern Conference leader No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs, the Aggies will look to keep their bats on fire versus the Gators. A&M finished up a road series against LSU in sweeping fashion, with facets of the game firing on all cylinders. Games 1 and 2 saw the offense flex its muscles, combining for 17 runs against the defending national champions. Game 3 was won thanks to the pitching staff, with junior right-handed pitcher Weston Moss making his best start of SEC play with four scoreless innings and five strikeouts. “It’s always great to win,” head coach Michael Earley said. “We won the series, but even in Game 3, if you’ve already won the series and you lose, it just leaves a sour taste in your mouth. So, I’m just excited to get

home.” The top of the Aggies’ batting order has lived up to its MLB draft hype. Junior first baseman Gavin Grahovac has been a key piece in the Maroon and White’s recent 10-1 run in SEC play, smashing 10 home runs in that stretch and bumping his batting average from .328 to .362. Golden Spikes Award-contending junior center fielder Caden Sorrell has been a steady source of offense all year long. Tied for first in the SEC with 59 RBIs and ranking third in home runs with 18 longballs, Sorrell has been a catalyst in one of the nation’s best offenses. Junior second baseman Chris Hacopian has flown under the radar most of the season, not because of bad play, but because of other sluggers in the lineup overshadowing his efforts. A 93-mph fastball to the face seemed to awaken the Maryland transfer, though, as he compiled five hits against LSU as well as a deep two-RBI rocket to left field in Game 3. The trio’s impact, along with the back half of the order, will be a thorn in the side of Florida’s pitching staff.

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Steve Carrasco IV — THE BATTALION

First basemen Gavin Grahovac (9) hugs center fielder Caden Sorrell (13) after scoring during Texas A&M baseball’s game against Texas at Olsen Field on Saturday, April 11, 2026.