Texas A&M wins 2 of 3 at Amegy Bank College Baseball Series: 5 takeaways for the Aggies

ARLINGTON — In its first tournament against fellow Power Five programs, Texas A&M baseball went 2-1 in the three-game series.

After beating up on teams from the Ivy League and Ohio Valley Conference, the Aggies (10-1) took a perfect 8-0 record into a North Texas tournament featuring foes from the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12.

It wasn't always perfect, evidenced by Saturday's run-rule loss to UCLA, but the Aggies learned that their pitching travels and offensive firepower come from every part of the lineup.

Health will continue to be a major concern. A&M once again had multiple hitters penciled for the middle of its lineup, miss action. However, there were positives to take from this weekend's action at Globe Life Park. 

MORE: 'Don't lose your mind': How Texas A&M baseball plans to lock in against No. 1 UCLA, ASU

With a conference-opening series against Oklahoma just under two weeks away, the Aggies saw an uptick in competition this weekend.

Here are five takeaways from Texas A&M baseball's three games in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series:

Texas A&M baseball: 5 takeaways from weekend in Arlington

Quality showing in Arlington

A&M jumped on Virginia Tech and, with a solid outing from starter Shane Sdao, ran away from the Hokies for an easy run-rule win Friday. The Aggies scored a run in the top of the first and added another in the fourth. But it was their eight-run sixth inning that put them over the top.

The loss to top-ranked UCLA quickly shifted the mood. The Aggies mustered a season-low two hits while allowing 14 Bruins hits.

Their 9-3 win over Arizona State proved the Aggies were capable of bouncing back and weren't snake-bitten by the team's first loss of 2026.

Although they're just nonconference games, salvaging a "series win" against the stiffest competition A&M has faced this season is a good sign for head coach Michael Earley and his team.

Offensive production on full display

In eight of A&M's 11 games, they've scored seven or more runs, including twice in Arlington. Even with injuries that hindered their lineups, the Aggies have continued to produce.

A&M scored 20 runs in the three-game stint, and that's with scoring just once against the Bruins, which appears to be an exception and not the norm at this point. 

Even with Chris Hacopian and Wesley Jordan missing from the middle of the lineup for most of the weekend, the Aggies still tallied 20 hits, including four doubles and three home runs. In two of the three games, they tallied at least eight hits, a benchmark they've reached nine times already. 

They also drew 13 walks, highlighted Sunday by seven against the Sun Devils.

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Aiden Sims, starting pitching stay strong

The bookends of the weekend rotation, Sdao and Aiden Sims, produced more of the same from what they had shown in their previous two starts.

Sdao went six strong innings, striking out five, walking only one and allowing four hits in 85 pitches. Sdao's 1.96 ERA through three outings leads the team. 

Sims, the rotation's least-experienced member, has been the biggest surprise of the early season. The sophomore right-hander went 4⅔ innings Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out four in 84 pitches.

Saturday starter Weston Moss drew the toughest assignment of the weekend against the Big Ten-favorite Bruins. UCLA jumped on him in the first inning, slapping three consecutive singles to start the game. Moss allowed the most runs of his career and was lit up for six hits and six runs in two innings of work.

The junior had a solid start in his previous outing, allowing just one run and five hits against Penn.

With 11 other SEC teams ranked in the top 25, the weekend starters will see plenty of good lineups.

Aggies depth has passed test

Since the third game, when Hacopian first missed action due to a back issue, the Aggies have dealt with an onslaught of injuries. Slugger Caden Sorrell missed two games due to stitches in his right hand, while Jordan hasn't played since Feb. 21.

It was more of the same for A&M this weekend in Arlington. But, amid those concerns, the Aggies have proven that they have talented depth.

Graduate Travis Chestnut has been the biggest beneficiary of the injuries, starting eight games of the first nine games. He was inserted into the lineup for Hacopian starting in the third game of season, flipping between second base and center field based on others' availability. He's hitting .273 with three RBIs and one double, while registering a .452 on-base percentage.

Sophomore Sawyer Farr has appeared in six games, making three starts at second base. The 6-foot-4 infielder laced a two-out, game-tying double in the bottom of the ninth against Penn, then drew a walk in the 11th inning to deliver the game-winner. He's flashed strong defense and is batting .333 and slugging .417, with an OBP of .429.

The combination of freshman Jorian Wilson, junior Blake Binderup and sophomore Zane Becker has 32 at-bats off the bench, collectively hitting .279 with eight hits, two home runs and 11 RBIs.

Still ground to make up for upper echelon of college baseball

As good as A&M looked on the mound and at the plate at times this weekend, it became clear that there is still a gap between it and the top-tier teams.

Saturday's thumping by UCLA, in which the Bruins led 4-0 after the first inning and 6-1 after the second, was a bit alarming. Yes, the then-undefeated Aggies were ranked 23rd coming into the game and have largely been underrated to this point, but few predicted Saturday would be a run-rule-shortened affair.

Its response Sunday in a convincing win against Arizona State, which had 36 wins and made the NCAA Tournament in 2025, is a positive sign.

Certainly, Saturday's game could be viewed as a one-off. But what was on display is the strongest evidence that work still needs to be done if the Aggies are going to avoid missing the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season.

Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.