Texas A&M defeated LSU 7-2 on April 18 in the second game of their baseball series at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.
The outcome affects both teams’ standings, with Texas A&M improving to a 30-7 overall record and an 11-5 mark in the Southeastern Conference. LSU now holds a 23-17 overall record and is 6-11 in conference play.
Aiden Sims started for Texas A&M and allowed two runs on three hits over seven innings, walking two and striking out six. Reliever Clayton Freshcorn pitched the final two innings without giving up any runs. “Sims was tough, he executed and he had some layer of deception,” said LSU coach Jay Johnson. “He tunneled the ball very well, he did a good job.”
LSU’s starting pitcher William Schmidt took the loss after pitching five-and-a-third innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts. For Texas A&M’s offense, first baseman Gavin Grahovac hit a solo home run and an RBI single while catcher Bear Harrison added a two-run homer.
LSU’s Steven Milam hit his sixth home run of the season with a solo shot in the second inning. Chris Stanfield drove in another run for LSU with an RBI groundout in the fifth inning against Sims. Freshman Marcos Paz closed out for LSU by pitching two scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out three batters.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s series finale at 1 p.m., Johnson said: “We have to turn the page and keep a positive mindset. We can’t do anything about today, but we can do something about tomorrow. A good team played well and beat us today; tomorrow, we want to make it harder on them.” The game will be broadcast on radio via the LSU Sports Radio Network and televised by ESPN.
