The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Baseballers picked up a good bit of momentum last weekend, as they swept through Baylor, TCU, and Houston at the Shriners College Classic. Apparently, the Ags impressed enough to jump into all but one of the major polls for the first time in 2019. Pitching and defense have been A&M’s biggest strengths, far and away, which was never more evident than down in Houston last weekend.

The Aggies rode that wave (pun absolutely intended) into Tuesday’s matchup with A&M-Corpus Christi (9-5), surfing the Islanders right out of the stadium with a 12-2, run-rule victory in seven innings. Okay, no more puns, I swear. The Ags scored multiple runs five of the seven innings, including four consecutive crooked numbers to end the game. Additionally, they drew 12 walks (BrAaAaAnD) to only one strikeout. Much, much better than some of the offensive efforts we’ve seen thus far. They kept it rolling on Wednesday against Abilene Christian (7-6), dropping a five-spot in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 9-3 victory over the Wildcats.

This weekend, for just the second time ever and first time since 2011, the Aggies welcome the Gonzaga Bulldogs (4-6) to Olsen. No, this group of Zags is no where close to the top ranked team in the country, but they’re not pushovers either. They’re led at the plate by their cleanup hitter, 1B Ryan Sullivan. Sullivan is currently slashing .357/.438/.810 (meaning an OPS of 1.248 lolololol), and he already has five bombs in Gonzaga’s 10 games thus far. He also 34 total bases in just 42 ABs. By comparison, Bryce Blaum leads A&M in most offensive categories, including total bases. Blaum has six fewer TB in 14 more ABs. Crazy production from the Zags’ first baseman.

On the mound, Gonzaga’s ace, Casey Legumina, is on an entirely different level than the Aggies have faced this season. With a 1-0 record and a 1.89 ERA, Legumina has surrendered seven runs (just four earned) on 10 hits, seven walks, and a whopping 24 punchouts in 19.0 innings. Aside from Legumina, however, not a single Gonzaga pitcher has an ERA south of 3.40. What stands out is that, on Saturday, the Zags are apparently electing to start a guy who’s given up 10 runs (all earned) on 13 hits, three walks, and five strikeouts in just 7.1 innings. Assuming Dox, who’s fresh off a Pitcher of the Month nod from NCBWA can do his thing tonight opposite Legumina, Lacy vs a double digit ERA seems almost* unfair.

Probable Starters

• Friday: John Doxakis (3-0, 0.43 ERA) vs. Casey Legumina (1-0, 1.89 ERA)
• Saturday: Asa Lacy (3-0, 0.50 ERA) vs. Mac Lardner (0-2, 12.27 ERA)
• Sunday: TBA ( :-( ) vs. TBA

How to Watch

• Times: Friday, 6:32 pm | Saturday, 2:02 pm | Sunday, 1:02 pm
• Live Video: All three games can be streamed on SEC Network +
• Radio: SportsRadio 1150 AM/The Zone 102.7 FM
• Live Stats: tamu.statbroadcast.com (desktop); tamustats.com (mobile)