Texas A&M dominates Incarnate Word in seven innings, 21-1

Game #28: Texas A&M 21, Incarnate Word 1 (7 innings)
Records: Texas A&M (14-14, 1-8), Incarnate Word (13-18, 1-14)
WP: Gavin Lyons (2-0)
LP: EJ Garcia (2-3)
Box Score

Overpowered the overmatched.

Texas A&M performed as expected against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night, dominating the Cardinals 21-1 in seven innings at Blue Bell Park.

The Aggies utilized the power stroke early before feasting on 12 walks issued by UIW pitching.

"It's always good to feel good," A&M head coach Michael Earley said. "You feel good after a win, and specifically a win like that. Baseball is a confidence-based sport, and you would think after that, you'd get some confidence heading into a tough road trip."

Jace LaViolette homered twice, launching a second-inning grand slam and a third-inning three-run homer to finish 2-for-4 with seven RBIs.

Earning the start for the injured Gavin Kash, first baseman Blake Binderup began the offensive merry-go-round with a 415-foot three-run moon shot in the second. Binderup drove in five.

Ben Royo added a three-run round-tripper in the third inning as his hit streak reached five games.

"It was a fun night," LaViolette said. "I think that you look all around at everybody's ABs, it looked how it should. I think we handled business, did as we should, and it was fun to be a part of."

In total, four of A&M's 13 hits left the yard.

The Aggies scored seven in the second, 11 in the third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth.

"Good at-bats, good swings," LaViolette said. "Swinging at good pitches and just being on time and not worrying about the result.

"The more you can simplify it and make it easier on your mind, I think it turns out to be better for yourself, and I think that's something we're starting to accomplish out there."

A&M's offensive outburst stole the headlines from a brilliant outing by right-hander Gavin Lyons in his first career start.

The freshman from Connecticut allowed just one hit across four scoreless frames. In eight career innings, he has allowed no runs on two hits.

"Adrenaline was pumping," Lyons said. "Just like the constant time I'm putting into practice and the constant support that's all around me just allowed me to have that success, and I believe in myself, and I know everybody else believes in me too, so that definitely helped."

UIW wrecked the shutout on Bane Gray's leadoff homer off reliever Peyton Smith to begin the fifth as the visiting Cardinals found just three total hits.

Will Huffman, TexAgs

Jace LaViolette had a grand slam and a three-run homer on Tuesday night. He now has 59 career home runs.

Behind Lyons, Smith got an inning, Jackson Brasseux made his collegiate debut in a scoreless sixth, and Grant Cunningham tossed a perfect seventh.

Further, the lopsided score allowed Earley to get six players off his bench into the game. Among them were little-used outfielders Hayden Crites and Nathan Tobin, who recorded a double in his first collegiate at-bat.

"You don't get to see these guys in practice and how they go about their business," Earley said. "The truth of the matter in sports is not everyone can play, so it's good to get those guys out there because they deserve it.

"I love those guys to death, and it's awesome to get them out there and get them some playing time and see them get on base and play baseball because they deserve to be out there."

As LaViolette called it, the rout was "fun" for the Maroon & White.

The task ahead is taking Tuesday's good feelings with them to Knoxville, where they’ll face top-ranked Tennessee in a rematch of last year's national championship series.

Now 14-14 and 1-8 in conference, that could be a daunting task, but LaViolette's outlook exuded confidence.

"This weekend is a real test," he said. "Moving forward, we just have to keep playing good baseball like this. We have to keep having fun, keep our heads down and just worry about ourselves. Worry about the guys that are in there and nobody else."