Texas A&M senior infielder shines in Boston Kellner's absence

Texas A&M (37-12, 16-10 SEC) will likely drop several spots in the rankings after dropping its second straight SEC series after falling to No. 20 Ole Miss on the road on Friday and Saturday night, even after winning the second game of the doubleheader 18-5 in seven innings, which included seven home runs.

After falling 6-5 in the rubber match, the Aggies will now head into the final week of the regular season, hosting Mississippi in Blue Bell Park, and while losing two out of three SEC games, freshman shortstop Boston Kellner's broken orbital bone led to reserve senior Ben Royo making his fifth, sixth and seventh appearance of the season, and taking full advantage of his opportunity.

After reserve first baseman Blake Binderup started the first game of the doubleheader with a solo home run, Royo followed with his first hit of the season, blasting a home run to take a 2-0 lead, which got out of control late. After Ole Miss made a dent, scoring three runs off pitcher Aiden Sims, Royo hit his second home run of the game, scoring freshman Jorian Wilson.

Recording three hits that scored four runs, Royo's incredible run continued in the rubber match, going on to tie the game at 5 after his third home run of the series, and finished a perfect four for four at the plate, including a late hit when the rest of the lineup couldn't buy a hit in the final two innings.

Finishing 7 for 7 with three home runs, five RBIs and a walk, Ben Royo not only looks like a starter, but provides Boston Kellner all the time he needs to heal from his orbital bone break, and should be in high consideration for SEC Player of the Week. Still, the Aggies must get healthy before the SEC Tournament, especially freshman third baseman Nico Partida.

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