AUSTIN – Maroon is trying to take over the land of burnt orange this weekend with Texas A&M playing in the Austin Regional hosted by longtime rival Texas.
But despite the chances of playing the Longhorns, A&M and its players know the Aggies must overcome a stout Indiana squad before having any conversations of playing Texas.
“I feel like it means more to the fans than it mean us,” A&M shortstop Braden Shewmake said about playing Texas. “I know we’re excited to play each other, but we’ve got to get through a very tough Indiana team first.”
The Hoosiers are the odd man out on being the lone team in the regional not from the Lone Star State, but is something they are embracing well.
“I do feel like that the majority of fans will be for Texas, A&M or Texas Southern but it is kind of exciting,” Indiana outfielder Logan Sowers said. “Not a lot of people know a whole lot about us, so it will be fun to be able to prove ourselves here.”
While many are eyeing a potential game between A&M and Texas, the Hoosiers are hoping to keep a postseason Lonestar Showdown from happening so easily.
“It feels like everyone is about one match up,” Indiana head coach Chris Lemonis said. “Hopefully we can spoil that for everybody.”
Pitching will be a premium in the Aggies-Hoosiers matchup, with Big Ten strikeout leader Jonathan Stiever taking the mound against A&M left-hander John Doxakis.
“First game against Indiana, we certainly have our hands full with that club,” A&M head coach Rob Childress said. “Difference-maker on the mound with them in Stiever, who leads the Big Ten in strikeouts.”
The Aggies are aiming for another stellar start from Doxakis, who carried a no-hitter into the 8th inning in the SEC Tournament against Auburn.
“Our pitching has been unbelievable and makes it really easy to play defense behind when they’re working with a good tempo,” Shewmake said. “When Dox was carrying the no-hitter through six, it was a whole lot of fun to play behind. He wanted the ball and wanted to make the next out for us.”
A&M and Indiana are set for a 4 p.m. first pitch from Disch-Falk Field and the game will be televised on ESPN2.