The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference
The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference
Starkville, Mississippi

Texas A&M outslugs MS State to close out series

12 days ago
Texas A&M Athletics
Photo: Texas A&M baseball

STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Texas A&M Aggies built an 11-1 lead and held on for a 15-10 win over Mississippi State to claim the series in the regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field.

Jack Moss delivered a four-hit game and Trevor Werner hit two of Texas A&M's (32-23, 14-16 SEC) four home runs, including a solo shot to open a seven-run fourth inning that broke the game open. Brett Minnich also added five RBI, anchored by a grand slam in that frame. 

The win gives the Aggies the edge over the Bulldogs (27-26, 9-21 SEC) in the weekend series and served as a primer for the upcoming SEC Tournament which begins Tuesday in Hoover.

Will Johnston struck out a career-high seven hitters in a 4.2-inning start, allowing just one run and taking a no-decision. Brad Rudis picked up the win in relief, moving his record to 5-0 on the year.

Mississippi State, meanwhile, entered the day needing a win and help from across the league to extend its season and earn a berth in Hoover but found out just minutes before the game that their season would be concluded at the end of the game thanks to a win by Georgia over LSU in Athens.

The Bulldogs threw six pitchers in the game with Jurrangelo Cijntje taking the loss to fall to 3-5. The switch pitcher struck out two and allowed six hits but allowed six runs.

TOP AGGIE PERFORMERS

Jack Moss - 4-for-6, 2 R

Brett Minnich - 2-for-5, HR, 5 RBI, 1 R

Trevor Werner - 2-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, SF

Hunter Haas - 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, HBP

Will Johnston - 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

UP NEXT

The Aggies will now turn their attention to postseason play and the opening day of the SEC Tournament. Texas A&M will enter the tournament as the No. 10 seed and will take on the No. 7 seed, Tennessee, in the second game of Tuesday's single-elimination opening round.