A 10-4 win over Auburn Saturday not only clinched Texas A&M’s first SEC series, but earned its 1,000th win at Olsen Field.
Auburn (13-6) racked up as many hits in the first inning as they had during the whole game Friday evening. Behind those four hits came two runs, giving the Tigers an early 2-0 lead.
The No. 7 Aggies (20-0) had a hard time getting their high-powered offensive attack going until the fourth inning, when things seemed to start falling into place.
Following a couple walks and a beaned batter, the Aggies found themselves with the bases loaded. Three straight RBIs from G.R. Hinsley, Blake Allemand and Ryne Birk launched the Aggies to a 3-2 lead.
The Tigers managed to load the bases in the top of the fifth with no outs. A strikeout paired with a double play from the Aggies quickly wrapped up the half-inning with no damage done.
Ronnie Gideon nailed a double RBI single in the bottom of the fifth that brought both J.B. Moss and Logan Taylor home to give the Aggies their fourth and fifth runs on the afternoon.
Matt Kent pitched eight strong innings for the Aggies on Saturday, racking up over 100 pitches in his time on the mound. After giving up two runs in the first, he went on to retire eleven straight batters. The junior recorded seven strikeouts and did not walk a single batter over the course of the game.
Kent’s performance exemplified the Aggies depth, which is a very valuable aspect of their team, especially now that two A&M pitchers are gone for the season due to injuries.
A&M virtually put the game to rest in the bottom of the eighth when Taylor and Moss recorded RBIs that increased the Aggie lead to 10-2.
A double play by A&M halted the Tigers 9th inning rally and secured the 20th consecutive win of the season.
The Aggies will look to remain perfect and complete their first SEC sweep Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.