Who would have thought after watching the Texas A&M Baseball team struggle through their first two conference series of the season that we would ever be looking at a team still in contention come May? The Aggies weathered that 1-5 storm, and now they find themselves 13-8 in the SEC, just one game out of first place. If my math is correct, this means that they have won 12 of their last 15 conference games en route to five consecutive series victories since the Maroon and White hopped on the plane out of Nashville. They took two of three from both #5 Auburn at home and #12 LSU in Baton Rouge. And while their schedule has been quite favorable for the last few weeks, with last place Alabama (2-19 SEC), third-to-last place Tennessee (6-14 SEC), and a scuffling Missouri (8-13 SEC), the Ags took care of business, going 8-1 in those nine games with two road sweeps. This has been quite the turnaround for Rob Childress and the Aggie Baseballers.

Currently there are three teams (Kentucky, Auburn, and Mississippi State) tied for first place in the SEC. There are also four teams (Florida, Arkansas, LSU, and Texas A&M) tied for second. So really, the Aggies could end up in first (highly recommended imo), or decidedly-not-first. They have a shot at one of the teams ahead of them this weekend, as they host Mississippi State. Do the Thing, Ags.

Probable Starters

• Friday: Brigham Hill (6-3, 2.62 ERA) vs. Konnor Pilkington (5-3, 3.10 ERA)
• Saturday: Corbin Martin (5-2, 3.13 ERA) vs. TBA
• Sunday: Stephen Kolek (3-2, 3.52 ERA) vs. TBA

What to Watch For

More good starting pitching, please

The Aggies’ starting rotation as a whole has been exceptional the last two weekends. In those six starts, Brigham Hill, Corbin Martin, and Stephen Kolek have given up a combined four runs (three earned), while striking out 40, according to 12thman.com. The pitching staff has been the driving force behind A&M’s current charge to SEC contention. If they’re going to keep going on this climb to the top of the conference standings, they’ll need the starters to continue to pitch very well against a very good State lineup.

MSU’s Brent Rooker is really good

I saw somewhere on the Twitters a week or so ago that State 1B Brent Rooker was overrated, which blew my mind. Look at this stat line: .413/.509/.913, with 19 home runs, 23 doubles, 29 walks, and 64 RBIs. What he’s doing this season is similar to what Boomer White did last season, only with almost five times as many homers and 18 more RBIs than Boomer had all of last season. His 19 homers are good for third out of all Division I players, first in the SEC, and his .913 SLG% and 64 RBIs are the best in the entire country (meaning Div I, II and III). I almost want to say that pitching to him should be illegal this weekend.

The Braden Shewmake Show

This is your weekly reminder that Braden Shewmake is v good at baseballing. No, he’s not doing what Rooker is doing this year, but as a freshman he’s second in the SEC in hits (12th in Div I), third in RBIs (16th), tied for fourth in doubles, and tied for third in total bases. He leads all SEC freshmen in those categories. Keep watching because this kid is special.

How to Watch/Listen

• Times: Thursday, 6:30 pm | Friday, 6:30 pm | Saturday, 1:00 pm
• TV: Thursday and Saturday will be televised on ESPNU, SEC Network+ on Friday
• Radio: Dave South has the call on SportsRadio 1150 AM/The Zone 102.7 FM
• Live Audio: 12thman.com