A 13-Run Inning Turns the Tide
The opening game of the series at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park drew a crowd of 5,862 fans eager to see No. 10 Texas A&M take on No. 13 Mississippi State. The Aggies jumped out to an early advantage, but the Bulldogs answered with a 13-run third inning that reshaped the contest.
Texas A&M started strong, launching two solo home runs in the first inning. Gavin Grahovac and Chris Hacopian each sent balls over the fence, putting the Aggies ahead early and setting the tone for a high-scoring affair.
Mississippi State’s third inning was a barrage of hits and extra-base hits that produced 13 runs, overwhelming the Aggie pitching staff. The onslaught included multiple RBI singles and a clutch three-run homer by Jake Duer in the fifth, briefly narrowing the gap.
Despite the deficit, several Aggies turned in memorable performances. Gavin Grahovac extended his career home run total to 43, tying for sixth on the school’s all-time list, and broke the SEC single-season RBI record with 42. Bear Harrison continued his on-base streak, reaching base safely in his 25th consecutive game, while Chris Hacopian pushed his on-base streak to 15 games.
The pitching staff also made noise, striking out 12 batters and seeing Hunter Vincent set a new career high with three strikeouts in two innings. Caden Sorrell and Jorian Wilson each added multi-RBI performances, underscoring the offensive depth on both sides.
The loss dropped Texas A&M to a 21-21 record in games with double-digit runs this season, but the Aggies still hold a 27-24 edge in the all-time series against the Bulldogs. The teams will meet again on Friday, with the contest streaming on SEC Network+ and first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.