Texas A&M’s Jace LaViolette Suffers Broken Finger During SEC Tournament

HOOVER, Alabama — Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette suffered a broken finger during Thursday’s SEC Tournament victory against Auburn. The injury raises questions about his availability for the remainder of the season.

A&M head coach Micheal Earley confirmed the injury after the game, stating LaViolette broke a finger on his left hand. “We’re going to see what we’re going to do with it,” Earley told reporters after the game. “I don’t know if there’s a situation where we get him operated on… he’s not going to be in the starting lineup for this tournament, but we might be able to get him back for the postseason.”

LaViolette sustained the injury in the fifth inning when he took a fastball to the knuckles. He attempted to continue playing but was seen signaling for a substitute while on first base. He later returned to the dugout with his hand wrapped and splinted.

Teammate Hayden Schott was seen checking on LaViolette after the injury, expressing concern with a shake of his head. Shortstop Kaeden Kent commented on the loss, saying, “It’s tough… but we have guys in the dugout that keep the vibes high.”

Before his exit, LaViolette was 0-for-2 with a strikeout, finishing the season with a .254 batting average, 18 home runs, and 59 RBIs. He had recently ended a hitting slump with a grand slam against Mississippi State.

LaViolette, a junior center fielder, was once a top candidate for the first overall pick in the upcoming 2025 MLB Draft but entered the tournament with a significant batting slump. He expressed mixed feelings about the draft, acknowledging it weighed on his mind throughout the season.

The Aggies secured a win over Auburn with Kent’s three-run home run providing crucial offense, ultimately winning 3-2. Their pitching staff limited Auburn to two runs, allowing them to advance.

The victory sets up a matchup against LSU for the Aggies. Coach Earley must now plan for LaViolette’s absence, especially with another slugger, Caden Sorrell, dealing with a hand injury.