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Graphic by Zoe Rich — THE BATTALION

Aggies await return of former coach in massive conference matchup against Longhorns By Noah Ruiz Associate Sports Editor After taking its second straight Southeastern Conference series, No. 18 Texas A&M baseball awaits its greatest challenge yet — a ghost from its past. While normally just a metaphor, in this case a silhouette will actually be cast as No. 2 Texas comes to town with the Aggies’ old head coach, Jim Schlossnagle, standing outside the visiting dugout. It will be a culmination of memories, dreams and what-ifs when the Olsen Field faithfuls welcome the man who took their squad to the College World Series Finals in 2024. But the rage from his abrupt departure to coach for a century-old rival a day after a runner-up fill will surely play a factor in stamping out any lingering nostalgia. While the Aggies were swept a season ago in Austin, head coach Michael Earley’s unit has made great strides offensively, with the second-year coach having taken up hitting responsibilities yet again — and it starts with a couple Preseason All-SEC Team selections. One cannot discuss the success of A&M without first mentioning the name at the top

of MLB Draft boards, junior center fielder Caden Sorrell. Through his first 30 games of action, Sorrell has slashed baseballs with extreme prejudice, leading the SEC in three different categories with 16 home runs, a .873 slugging percentage and 51 RBIs. Such stellar stats are indicative of Sorrell’s borderline unstoppable campaign from his two-hole spot, not to mention his perfect fielding percentage this year. But where the Aggies have Sorrell, the Longhorns have junior CF Aiden Robbins. A Seton Hall transfer, Robbins has done nothing but lead Texas in batting average, home runs and RBIs, with .349, 11 and 33, respectively. Falling just one behind in both long balls and RBIs, junior third baseman Casey Borba has given Robbins a run for his money as the Longhorns’ leading hitter, the California native no second banana for the Burnt Orange. A&M has its own California kid, and he’s been out of this world since having his hand stepped on in a March 27 matchup against Missouri. In a six-game span since that injury scare, junior first baseman Gavin Grahovac has belted as many home runs while tallying an SEC fourth-best 40 RBI. But hitting is only half the battle, and, unfortunately for the Aggies, the Longhorns are among the best on the other side of the game: pitching. Through its first 31 contests, Texas maintains the second-lowest ERA in the SEC with just 3.07. Additionally, just 17 homers

have made it out of the park against the Burnt Orange staff as it has kept the fireworks to a minimum. As Texas’ all-world flamethrower on the mound, senior right-handed pitcher Ruger Riojas has dealt Longhorn justice to nearly everyone he’s faced, compiling a 5-1 record with a commendable 2.74 ERA. While by no means leading the starting arms in ERA, the Wimberley native has a team-best 68 strikeouts and has surrendered just one home run through eight starts. A&M, however, is not even close to the same production level as its in-state rivals, having given up an SEC-worst 45 home runs, which contributed heavily to its 4.74 ERA as opponents made a living exposing the holes left in the Maroon and White defense, namely in its starting pitching. Of the 38 eligible starters in the SEC, redshirt junior left-handed pitcher Shane Sdao and junior RHP Weston Moss come in at 36th and 37th in conference, respectively, averaging a 6.09 ERA between the Friday and Saturday starters. However, the Aggies have a saving grace — sophomore RHP Aiden Sims. The reigning SEC Pitcher of the Week handled an early weekend start with the utmost efficiency and responsibility, having pitched a seven-inning shutout against Vanderbilt to hold an offense that had scored nine homers in its last two games to just three fruitless hits. The Forney native is undefeated thus far, with a team-low 3.32 ERA.

If the Aggies are to break through the Longhorn dam, there will be a premium on baserunners, no matter how they get themselves on the bags. No one for the Maroon and White has been more efficient than junior catcher Bear Harrison, who has been a magnet for errant throws and walks. His .527 on-base percentage is third in the SEC, and the veteran home-plate defender hit .500 through three games against the Commodores, including seven RBIs and three home runs. But while stats are sometimes just as beautiful as a longball swing, a matchup of bitter rivals has plenty of ugly hate to go along with it. From a potential revenge campaign for the Aggies to the bragging rights of another series win for the Longhorns, there will be a lingering aggression not just in the bats and arms of players in and around the diamond, but in the over 9,000 spectators that will surely flock to the corner of Bush and Olsen. Like a scene from the great Colosseum in Rome, a tale of gladiators will etch their names in the dirt where their blood, sweat and tears will embody the 123 years of competition their forefathers have waged through the state of Texas. Plus, when you mix in a downright Caesarian betrayal, how can one side not cry “Et tu, Brute?” A&M will begin its three-game series versus Texas on Friday, April 10, with first pitch slated for 7 p.m.