Arizona Upsets Top-Ranked Texas A&M in Nail-Biter

HOUSTON, Texas (KVOA) — The No. 1 Texas A&M baseball team faced an unexpected defeat on Friday night, falling 3-2 to Arizona at the Astros Foundation College Classic held at Daikin Park. The Aggies, now 5-3 this season, lost their grip on the game in the top of the ninth inning when the Wildcats struck for two runs, completing a late-inning rally.

With a narrow 2-1 lead, Texas A&M entered the final frame, but the Wildcats (6-3) quickly turned the tide. Easton Breyfogle started the rally, driving in Maddox Mihalakis with an infield hit. Brendan Summerhill followed with a clutch RBI single, pushing Arizona ahead for the first time at 3-2.

As the Aggies attempted to answer in the bottom of the ninth, Terrence Kiel II reached base on an infield single. However, he was thrown out attempting to advance to third base on a throwing error. A two-out single from Jace LaViolette brought hope for Texas A&M but ended in disappointment with a strikeout, sealing the Wildcats’ victory.

The Aggies had a promising start, loading the bases in the first inning but squandered the opportunity with three consecutive strikeouts. Starter Ryan Prager had a tough outing, showing control for most of the game. He allowed only one run over 6.1 innings, striking out a season-high 10 batters and yielding just three hits.

Arizona’s starting pitcher, Collin McKinney, faced pressure early but managed to escape a bases-loaded situation in the first inning with three strikeouts. He threw four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out six.

Texas A&M managed to score first when designated hitter Aaron Walton blasted a two-run homer to the Crawford Boxes in the bottom of the fifth, marking his second home run of the season and the 56th of his career, tying him for the most among active players.

The Wildcats clawed back in the sixth inning with a solo home run from Walton, shrinking the Aggies’ lead to 2-1 and setting the stage for their dramatic ninth-inning comeback.

Prager’s replacement in relief, right-hander, suffered the loss after giving up the two crucial runs in the ninth.

In the aftermath of the game, Casey Hintz, who pitched five innings in relief and struck out seven batters, earned the win for Arizona.

Texas A&M is poised to return to the field on Saturday night at 7 p.m. against Oklahoma State at Daikin Park, where they will seek to rebound from this heart-wrenching defeat.

Postgame interviews, insights, and more updates are available on Texas A&M’s official athletics website, as well as on their social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X, by following @aggiebaseball.