For its first game away from Olsen Field, Texas A&M baseball filled up Globe Life Field as No. 7 Texas A&M baseball took on Arizona State on Friday, March 1 in Arlington.

However, both ball clubs and fans would have to wait an extra hour and 30 minutes, as No. 5 TCU found itself in a battle against USC where the Horned Frogs defended its undefeated record after 11 innings.

The late state didn’t deter the Aggies at all as they got off to a hot start, headlined by junior DF Braden Montgomery. The Stanford transfer hit a three-run homer in the first inning to bring in freshman 3B Gavin Grahovac and sophomore CF Jace LaViolette, giving A&M an early lead.

 The defense continued to ride momentum as A&M LHP Ryan Prager led back-to-back ground outs before newly-minted starter freshman RF Caden Sorrell showed off his wings as he extended out to fly out the Sun Devils to keep A&M in front 3-0.

Then on offense, the freshman showed why he was the newest starter as he hit his first home run of the season, echoing cheers inside the MLB ballpark.

The cheers quickly turned into boos as ASU RHP Thomas Burns hit Montgomery not once, but twice, and remained in the game, much to the displeasure of A&M fans.

“I think it was a little bit shakier, especially after the second [hit],” Montgomery said. “Even if [Burns] wasn’t intentionally throwing [at me], I just think it’s crazy how it just so happens to happen twice like that.” 

The offensive excitement flamed out shortly after as Sorrell’s home run in the third inning was the last score in the game, as both teams’ bullpens took over for the rest of the night.

For the Aggies, Prager made it a long night for the Sun Devils, giving up only one hit with eight strikeouts. LHP Evan Aschenbeck relieved Prager in the sixth inning and picked up right where he left off, also giving up a lone hit while throwing four strikeouts. 

Though Burns started off cold, giving up three hits and four runs, he bounced back with six strikeouts and made hitting difficult for the Aggies in later innings.

However, after his second hit to Montgomery, his night was done, as junior RHP Ryan Schiefer relieved him in the fifth inning and headlined a zero hit and five-strikeout night.

In another game highlighted by pitching, neither team found success hitting, with ASU batting 2-29 and A&M doubling their hits at 4-28. 

“We did an awesome job against their pitcher and he battled,” coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “What a great job Burns did pitching deep in the game for his team. Prager was outstanding and Aschenbeck did what he normally does.” 

Next up for the Aggies, they return to Globe Life Field on Saturday, March 2 to take on USC.