A season high in strikeouts dooms Texas A&M's chances vs. Ole Miss

No. 7 Texas A&M (36-11, 15-9 SEC) dropped its third consecutive opening SEC game after falling 5-3 on Friday night to No. 20 Ole Miss in Swayze Field. For most, this defeat wasn't surprising, given the Aggies' doubleheader loss last Saturday vs. Auburn, scoring a total of nine runs in both losses, while salvaging a 5-4 win on Sunday to avoid their first SEC sweep.

However, aside from scoring 16 runs against lowly Prairie View A&M, these offensive struggles look like a significant issue heading into the final stretch of the regular season after Friday's telling performance at the plate.

To preface, the primary storyline heading into the game was the change on the mound, as Clemson transfer Ethan Darden started in place of the regular Friday starter Shane Sdao, who, after Darden gave up two early runs, entered the game and played his best baseball of the season.

However, even after allowing just two earned runs while striking out five, Sdao's impressive day wasn't aided by the offense responding in the clutch, as the Aggies recorded a team high 15 strikeouts, while hitting a poor .194 with runners in scoring position.

With freshman third baseman Nico Partida missing his third consecutive game, star juniors Gavin Grahovac and Caden Sorrell finished a combined 2-9 at the plate, while Maryland transfer Chris Hacopian was 1-5 for an RBI. Still, it's fair to say the program's injury issues now include freshman shortstop Boston Kellner, who was hit by a pitch in the top of the 7th.

Due to inclement weather on Sunday, Texas A&M will play a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 2:00 p.m. If the Aggie offense fails to score early and continues to strike out, coach Mike Earley's team will not make it out of the Regional Round in the NCAA Tournament.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.