Oregon
Cortez shines in relief, No. 3 Aggies take game one against Oregon, 10-6
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Chris Cortez delivered a career-high tying 5.2 scoreless innings in relief as the No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team overcame an early deficit to defeat Oregon, 10-6, in game one of the NCAA Bryan-College Station Super Regional Saturday afternoon from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
With the win, the Aggies (48-13) are one win away from punching their ticket to the College World Series for the eighth time in program history.
Cortez was brilliant out of the bullpen for the Maroon & White as the junior struck out a career-best 10 Ducks (40-19) and allowed only two hits on the afternoon. Evan Aschenbeck earned the save after striking out three in 1.2 scoreless frames, marking the senior’s SEC-best eighth of the season.
Hayden Schott led the offensive attack for Texas A&M as the graduate student plated a game-high tying three RBI after finishing 3-for-5 at the dish. Catcher Jackson Appel joined Schott with a three-hit performance as the senior went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Ted Burton rounded out the multi-hit performers for the Maroon & White as the senior finished 2-for-4 at the plate.
After Oregon jumped out to a 2-0 advantage with a two-run homer in the first, the Aggies responded with a three-spot in the bottom half to take a 3-2 lead. Appel plated the first run of the frame on an RBI single to right center and later scored the tying run on a wild pitch. With two outs in the inning, Schott came through with an RBI double to right center to give the Maroon & White the lead.
The Ducks jumped back in front, 6-3, in the second behind a four-run frame that featured a sac fly, RBI single and a two-run double.
In the third, Schott got a run back for the Aggies with an RBI single through the right side to cut the deficit to 6-4.
A pair of costly Oregon errors helped Texas A&M reclaim the advantage, 7-6, in the fourth as three runs came around to score. After Gavin Grahovac reached on a single, the freshman came around to score on a Jace LaViolette double that featured the first Oregon error. LaViolette, who advanced to third on the play, later scored the tying run on a fielding error by the Ducks first baseman.
With the bases loaded, Schott pushed across his third RBI of the afternoon as he reached on a fielder’s choice to give the Maroon & White a 7-6 lead.
The Aggies posted their third crooked number of the game in the fifth as three more runs came across to score, pushing the lead to 10-6. LaViolette plated the first run on a bases-loaded RBI walk, while Kaeden Kent and Appel each drove in a run on an RBI groundout.
Cortez and Aschenbeck combined to slam the door shut on Oregon as Texas A&M claimed game one, 10-6.Inside the Box Score
- The Aggies racked up 12 hits and drew nine walks on the afternoon.
- Seven different batters in the Maroon & White registered a hit, while six Aggies drew a walk.
- Appel and Schott each totaled a game-best three hits in the win.
- Burton rounded out the multi-hit performers with a 2-for-4 afternoon.
- Travis Chestnut, Grahovac and LaViolette each totaled a game-best two walks.
- As a staff, Texas A&M struck out 14 batters.
- Starter Ryan Prager earned a no-decision after allowing six runs in 1.2 innings of work.
Game Notes
- Saturday’s game marked the first meeting all-time between the two clubs.
- With the win, the Aggies are now 13-12 all-time in Super Regional games.
- In the NCAA Tournament, the Maroon & White are now 99-83 and 48-16 at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
- Under Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle, the Aggies are 13-4 in postseason play and 3-0 in Super Regional games.
- The Super Regional appearance is the 10th in program history.
- LaViolette has now reached base safely in 19 straight games.
- The three-hit game marked the first of the season for Appel.
- The multi-hit performance was the 21st of the year for Schott.
- Schott’s three RBI matched his season-high.
Up NextThe Aggies will look to punch their ticket to the College World Series tomorrow night as game two is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park. Follow the AggiesVisit for more information on Texas A&M baseball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M baseball team on Facebook, Instagram and X by following @aggiebaseball.
Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.
Ryan Reynolds on John Candy’s prideful vulnerability
Ryan Reynolds reflects on John Candy’s mix of pride and vulnerability in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” The actor produces “John Candy: I Like Me.”
Entertain This!
The Aviation American Gin Distillery and visitor center in Portland, Oregon, has closed its doors as the company behind the celebrity-backed spirits brand shifts its production strategy, according to multiple reports.
Diageo, the global spirits company that acquired Aviation American Gin in 2020, confirmed the closure to local TV stations KGW and KOIN, saying the decision was made because of changing business needs.
“This decision reflects evolving business needs, as we continue to support growth ambitions for our Aviation American Gin brand,” Diageo’s statement reads. “Aviation American Gin remains an important part of Diageo’s portfolio and we are committed to the brand, our customers and consumers.”
USA TODAY contacted Diageo on July 9 for comment and additional information regarding the closure.
The nearly 33,000-square-foot facility opened in September 2022 in northwest Portland, offering visitors a cocktail bar, tasting room, gift shop and tours highlighting the gin-making process, including distillation and bottling operations.
Portland’s House Spirits Distillery founded Aviation American Gin in the early 2000s and later became associated with Emmy Award-winning actor Ryan Reynolds, who acquired a stake in the company in 2018.
“A little over two years ago, I became an owner of Aviation Gin because I love the taste of Aviation more than any other spirit,” Reynoalds said in a statement in 2020 after Diageo acquired the company. “What I didn’t expect was the sheer creative joy learning a new industry would bring. Growing the brand with my company, Maximum Effort Marketing, has been among the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been involved with.”
Is Ryan Reynolds still a co-owner of Aviation Gin?
As of July 9, Reynolds remains an owner of Aviation Gin, according to his social media accounts. His Instagram says he owns Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Maxixum Effort and the Wrexham A.F.C. soccer club.
When Diageo acquired Aviation Gin, the acquisition agreement valued the deal at up to $610 million, including an initial payment of $335 million and a potential additional payment of up to $275 million based on the company’s performance over a 10-year period, according to a 2020 news release.
Diageo, one of the world’s largest spirits companies, also owns other alcohol brands including Captain Morgan, Crown Royal and Smirnoff.
What’s next for Aviation, Diageo?
Diageo said it had already begun moving Aviation’s production from Portland to other facilities in 2025 as part of an effort to improve efficiency and strengthen its North American operations, KGW reported.
Diageo also said Aviation American Gin will remain part of its portfolio despite the closure of the Oregon visitor center and distillery.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
The man wanted in connection with two Pierce County homicides was shot and killed by police in Seaside, Oregon, Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank announced on X Wednesday night.
Hayes McCloud, 24, was identified earlier in the day by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) as a person of interest in two killings — the first in Puyallup around 2:40 a.m. and the second in Tacoma shortly after 3 a.m.
On Wednesday night, authorities referred to him as a suspect.
“The suspect has been contacted by police in Seaside, Oregon,” PCSO said in a Facebook post. “We are no longer looking for the suspect and details of the contact and major incident that transpired in Oregon will be available once the investigation is concluded.”
After that announcement, Swank posted an update on X.
“After he killed the person in Tacoma, he drove away. We didn’t know where he went, but he was picked up by a Flock camera in Lewis County around 4 a.m. So we knew he was headed southbound at that point,” Swank’s post said. “The suspect was shot and killed by police in Seaside, Oregon. No cops were hurt. I’m glad he was stopped before he killed anyone else. Great police work!”
The murder suspect from the homicide on Woodland Avenue also shot and killed a person in Tacoma.
After he killed the person in Tacoma, he drove away. We didn’t know where he went, but he was picked up by a flock camera in Lewis County around 4:00 AM. So we knew he was headed…
— Sheriff Keith Swank (@SaveOurSheriff) July 9, 2026
35-year-old killed in Puyallup home early Wednesday
At 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, deputies responded to the 12500 block of Woodland Avenue E. in Puyallup after receiving reports that a man was found dead in a home. Two homeowners were at the scene when deputies arrived.
“The preliminary investigation indicates there was homicidal violence in a bedroom that eventually led outside the home,” the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reported. “The 35-year-old male was located inside the home with multiple deadly injuries. We have no suspect in custody at this time.”
Second homicide in Tacoma less than 30 minutes later
Just after 3 a.m., police responded to the 6900 block of E. D Street in Tacoma’s Hillsdale neighborhood after multiple people reported hearing gunfire. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Officers began lifesaving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
The Oregon Country Fair is right around the corner and got an up-close preview of the annual event with generations of revelers expected to return yet again.
Vendors and construction teams were busy setting the venue up on Wednesday. It opens to the public on Friday, and organizers are expecting a big turnout.
For over fifty years, people have come together to enjoy live music, art, food and community at the event in Veneta.
“It has definitely changed and evolved and it’s definitely still holding true to the magic that has started the fair,” said fair attendee Jill Carter.
Carter has been going to the fair for about forty years, but throughout her time there, there’s always one thing on her mind.
“I’ve had a lifelong dream to do the poster, and I’ve been working on applying for a long time, and I got to do it and I’m so excited!”
Carter says over the years, she’s fine-tuned her design proposal to accurately capture the whimsey of the fair.
“In our day-to-day world, we really don’t get to connect on this kind of level of art and whimsey.”
This curated space of art and whimsey is what keeps generations returning to the fair.
“I was at a meeting the other day and somebody was a third generation Oregon Country fairgoer. Their parents were babies here. They were babies here. Now, they’re on crews that help manage the safety of this community,” says Kate Gillespie, the White Bird Rock Medicine crew coordinator.
Gillespie has been working within medical response at the fair for sixteen years.
Before fair goers even arrive, White Bird Rock Medicine works on setting up for the two hospitals provided on site as well as staffing medical crew – which consists of almost 300 medical professionals and mental health crisis workers.
“We are prepared to deal with first aid things like scrapes, bumps, bruises; injured feet are a big thing that we see – all the way up to things like cardiac events and strokes,” Gillespie explains.
And for the attendees they serve, the event is a yearly tradition that is more than just a fair – it’s a chance to catch up with old friends and make new memories.
“I think it’s really like a reunion for a lot of the people that are out here on this property,” says Gillespie.
The Oregon Country Fair runs Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the intersection of Suttle Road and Bus Road in Veneta.
For more information, visit the fair website.
-
Wyoming31 seconds agoFourth Annual Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Recreation Expo, Wyoming Governor’s Match returning to Casper July 18, 19
-
Crypto6 minutes agoBitdeer Invests $36 Million in First US Sealminer Factory as Bitcoin Mining Margins Stay Tight
-
Finance13 minutes agoHow AI Is Evolving in Sage Intacct and What It Means for Finance Teams | CBIZ
-
Fitness16 minutes agoTim Henman, 51, Has Barely Aged Since Retiring – Here’s His Fitness Formula
-
Movie Reviews28 minutes ago‘Evil Dead Burn’ Movie Review – Spotlight Report
-
World36 minutes agoHoops Players’ Win Tops Big Day in NCAA Eligibility Litigation
-
Health1 hour ago3 Best Peptides for Weight Loss—and the Viral One Doctors Say To Skip
-
Lifestyle1 hour agoSmithsonian chief emphasizes ‘accuracy and integrity’ after White House report
