Texas A&M outlasts Vols in Game 1, 9-5

The Texas A&M Aggies may have been underdogs coming into the College World Series, but you couldn’t tell based on how they dominated Game 1 against Tennessee, 9-5. Now they’re just one game away from winning their first national championship.

The Aggies got off to as quick a start as possible, with third baseman Gavin Grahovac smacking a leadoff home run to kick off the game. A&M rode that momentum, scoring two in the first, five in the third and two more in the seventh to secure the win. Saturday was just the eighth time all season that the Volunteers surrendered nine or more runs.

Pitching was the name of the game for A&M, as Ryan Prager, Josh Stewart and Evan Aschenbeck were all solid, surrendering just four runs among them. However, each surpassed his normal pitch count. If Aschenbeck is available for Game 2, he’ll likely be on a very short leash.