Another weekend, another difficult result. One pitch on Friday changed the entire complexion of the series, and that would include one of the most lopsided losses Texas A&M Baseball has ever had in conference play in game two. The good news: the Aggies finally notched their first SEC win on the season. The bad news: they also lost their second consecutive series to start conference play, they now sit at 1-5, and they are tied with Alabama for last in the division.

Vandy CF Jeren Kendall, who was arguably the overwhelming preseason favorite for SEC Player of the Year, had a monster series. He went 7-14, with six RBIs, two home runs, four runs scored, and three stolen bases. The only game of the weekend in which he didn’t account for a run was the Ags’ lone win of the series. Interesting.

A&M 3B George Janca also had himself a weekend. He hit 6-12, with a pair of three-run home runs, four runs scored, and a stolen base. Janca is on a bit of a home run-jag, as all three of his homers have come within the last five games. His batting average has climbed its way up to .282, and if A&M can keep his bat hot, that will go a long way in getting the offense back on track.

Friday: Vanderbilt 4, Texas A&M 3

• One pitch in this game changed the outlook for the whole series. With two outs and runners on second and third, Brigham Hill walked Vandy’s nine-hole hitter on a full count to load the bases. Jeren Kendall then hammered a 1-2 fastball over the wall in right-center to put Vandy up 4-3. The next hitter would end up grounding out to second to end the inning.
• Brigham Hill pitched much better in this game, but that second inning overshadowed his effort. In 6.0 innings of work, he only allowed three baserunners outside of the second and struck out eight. One pitch. One two-out, two-strike offering negated what would have been a great bounce back outing.
• Braden Shewmake did more Braden Shewmake things. He drove in all three of A&M’s runs, and he also stole a base.

Saturday: Vanderbilt 17, Texas A&M 3

• No, that is not a typo. Yes, A&M lost by 14 in conference play. Yes, this could be the worst conference loss Texas A&M has ever had. No, I don’t have anything to back that up. Shut up.
• Stephen Kolek gave up 10 runs on eight hits and two walks in just 2.2 innings. Vandy’s Patrick Raby, meanwhile, threw seven scoreless innings, while surrendering just three hits.
• Baseball is dumb sometimes.

Sunday: Texas A&M 6, Vanderbilt 4

• Corbin Martin drew the start, and was very good over his four innings of work. He allowed just three hits and one run, while striking out eight. He threw a season-high 111 pitches.
• Janca was the hero of the day, going 2-4, with his second three-run jack, a double, and two runs scored. He also made a nifty diving snag to his right on the final out of the game.
• Shewmake did even more Shewmake things (go figure), going 2-4, with two RBIs and a run scored.

What’s Next?

The Aggies travel to San Marcos to take on the Texas State Bobcats tomorrow night at 6:00 pm. Texas State is 16-8 on the season, they’re on a five-game winning streak, and last Tuesday, they knocked off Texas 11-10 in extras. The game will be televised via ESPN3.