COLLEGE STATION — Any weekend that ends with a sweep and a record-setting offensive performance is a job well done. Such was the case for Texas A&M baseball, which tallied 38 runs in the first two games of the year against Tennessee Tech, the most runs in the first two games of a season since 1948. The Aggies added seven more on Sunday, sweeping their opening series for the fifth consecutive year.
“You can’t simulate in practice what it feels like to play in a game,” head coach Michael Earley said following Saturday’s win. “Now, the great ones can over time; it’s all the same game. That’s what we’re trying to get at with all these guys. You can splash experience, no matter what form of the game; it’s good for them.”
Having never trailed, A&M seemingly passed the opening-weekend test.
Article continues below this ad
Here’s what we learned from the three-game set against an Ohio Valley Conference opponent:
MORE: Aggies complete series sweep
Texas A&M infielder Gavin Grahovac celebrates after reaching second base against Tennessee Tech on Feb. 13, 2026 at Blue Bell Park in College Station.
Carter Bradley/Carter Bradley/Texas A&M Athletics
Texas A&M baseball offense explodes in opening series
After last year, when the Aggies finished last in the SEC in batting average (.260) and 15th in hits (470), coming out of the first weekend of 2026 with a batting average of .443 and 45 hits is a good sign. It helps when the top of the order hits the ground running out of the gate.
Article continues below this ad
A&M’s trio of first baseman Gavin Grahovac, center fielder Caden Sorrell and second baseman Chris Hacopian tallied 18 hits, four home runs and 18 RBIs, even with Hacopian not in the lineup Sunday.
“I really liked our plate discipline and how we swung the bats,” Earley said Sunday. “Every now and then, a lapse in the lineup, but one through nine, fairly consistent on a day like today (in windy conditions), you just gotta keep coming.”
Baylor transfer Wesley Jordan has slid into the four-hole, rounding out the top half of the order that produced gaudy numbers. The 6-foot-3 graduate has seven hits, including three Sunday, and two home runs in three games. But not all of the offensive production came from the top. The Aggies’ seven and nine hitters, Terrence Kiell II and Boston Kellner, finished the weekend with 10 combined hits and five RBIs.
Article continues below this ad
A&M’s other starting freshman, Nico Partida, made the first three starts of his career at third base and batted sixth. His weekend was highlighted by going 2-for-4 with four RBIs on opening day.
MORE: How Texas A&M’s baseball team plans to exceed modest expectations in 2026
Aiden Sims (20) of Texas A&M pitches against Arkansas at Baum-Walker Stadium at George Cole Field on April 18, 2025 in Fayetteville, Ark. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Aggies starting pitching solid
For his first start in 20 months, Shane Sdao looked solid. The Aggies’ lefty went 5⅓ innings, allowing seven hits and four runs in 83 pitches. He had three scoreless innings, striking out five Golden Eagles. The 6-foot-3 junior flashed his power stuff, including a nice sweeping slider.
Article continues below this ad
Earley admitted that Sdao may have overthrown at times in his first game back. Earley did say Sdao was able to settle down and look like himself for much of the day.
Weston Moss got the ball Saturday, making his first appearance as a weekend starter. The Spring native finished five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, with six punchouts. Rounding out the starters was Aiden Sims, who made the first weekend start of his career. He looked the best of the trio, going a career-high six innings Friday. He allowed just one run and one hit while striking out seven on 84 pitches.
“That’s what he’s been doing all year,” Earley said of the sophomore. “He’s actually been better in practice.”
The Aggies’ starters allowed a combined nine runs and 15 hits.
Article continues below this ad
What about the Aggies’ relievers?
In the bullpen, A&M turned the ball over to freshmen Cole Hubert on Friday and Hunter Vincent on Saturday, with mixed results. Hubert got two innings of work, giving up two runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Vincent saw one inning of action Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits with one walk.
Ultimately, if A&M wants to be nitpicky about the weekend, it’ll come down to its performance on the mound. With better lineups to come, finding more consistent dominant stuff may be necessary; otherwise, the Aggies’ bats won’t be able to afford a day off at the dish.
Article continues below this ad
“It’s nothing new, they’ve been doing this,” Earley said of his team Sunday. “We felt extremely prepared. We felt like this was the type of team we were coming in, and again, I think today speaks volumes, and it’s a step in the right direction.”
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.