The Maroon and White face a shorthanded roster, with junior second baseman Chris Hacopian continuing to recover from an altercation earlier this season, while freshman third baseman Nico Partida and freshman shortstop Boston Kellner are out due to injury.<\/p>\n
At a pivotal moment in A&M\u2019s season, another key player joins the Aggies\u2019 list of inactives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
RHP Aiden Sims Will Not Pitch Against No. 13 Mississippi State![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01krh2yjg0vpmgst21m7.jpg\" "\\"")
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Jun 22, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas A&M Aggies third baseman Gavin Grahovac (9) and right fielder Jace Laviolette (17) embrace after a home run by Grahovac against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha, | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, May 13, head coach Michael Earley told the media that sophomore right-handed pitcher Aiden Sims<\/a> will not pitch against No. 13 Mississippi State.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s had some tightness, and he needs some rest,\u201d Earley said. \u201c\u2026 We need to make sure he\u2019s ready to go for the long haul.\u201d<\/p>\n Sims<\/a> has thrown 68 innings for the Aggies this season, starting in each of their nine SEC series to secure a record of 8-1. The Forney, Texas native leads A&M with 73 strikeouts, allowing only 29 earned runs for a 3.84 ERA.<\/p>\n The Aggies will turn to senior left-handed pitcher Ethan Darden in Game 1, with the following pair of starting pitchers to be announced. <\/p>\n With Sims sidelined, A&M\u2019s margin for error on the mound narrows considerably. Whether junior RHP Weston Moss steps into a larger starting role or redshirt junior LHP Shane Sdao delivers extended relief innings, the Aggies will need an experienced arm to stabilize the back half of the weekend.<\/p>\n To match the Bulldogs\u2019 firepower, the Fightin\u2019 Farmers will need a strong start from Darden and Sdao in Game 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n Darden started on the mound against Ole Miss on May 8, allowing only a pair of hits and earned runs over the course of two innings, before handing the ball to Sdao, who stabilized the game with 4.1 innings of relief, securing five strikeouts and allowing only four hits and a pair of earned runs. The Friday night duo can handle Game 1, but without Sims, the biggest question becomes how A&M pieces together the rest of the weekend rotation.<\/p>\n Sophomore RHP Gavin Lyons serves as a reliable reliever against SEC opponents, delivering 44 strikeouts through 57 frames for a 4.24 ERA. <\/p>\n Junior LHP Hunter Bond has emerged as of late with back-to-back showings against Prairie View A&M and Ole Miss, claiming seven strikeouts over the course of a combined 5.1 scoreless innings.\u00a0<\/p>\n And as always, junior RHP Clayton Freshcorn works as the Aggies\u2019 closer with a 2.27 ERA, allowing only 10 earned runs through 39.2 frames for a total of 11 saves.<\/p>\n While Sims\u2019 absence removes one of A&M\u2019s most dependable arms, it also presents an opportunity for the Aggies\u2019 pitching staff to prove itself at one of the most important points of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n With national seeding and postseason momentum on the line, how Earley pieces together this weekend\u2019s rotation may reveal whether A&M is equipped for the road ahead or destined for an early exit.<\/p>\n Sign up to our free newsletter\u00a0<\/a>and follow us on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for the latest news.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
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