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.