June 06, 2007
The sixth-ranked Texas A&M (48-17) baseball team will play a best-of-three-game series against No. 1 Rice (52-12) this weekend to determine a trip to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
The Aggies had to fight their way through the loser's bracket and win three-straight games against Ohio State and UL-Lafayette to earn a trip to this weekend's Super Regional at Reckling Park in Houston.
The Owls, the highest remaining national seed (No. 2), had a much easier time in their Regional. Rice won all three games they played to advance in the NCAA Tournament.
Two of the Owls' 12 losses this year have come from Texas A&M. The Aggies lead the all-time series against the Owls, 173-86-2, in a series that dates back to 1914. The Aggies and Owls were long-time conference foes in the now-defunct Southwest Conference.
The Aggies are 51-47 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and will be making their third (1999, 2004, 2007) appearance in the Super Regional since the format changed in 1999. A&M failed to qualify for the NCAAs the last two years.
A&M has now appeared in 23 NCAA Tournaments. The Aggies have advanced to Omaha four times, the last being in 1999.
SERIES HISTORY
- All-Time Record: A&M leads 173-86-2
- Last 10 Games: Rice Leads 3-7
- NCAA Tournament: Tied, 1-1
- This Year: A&M Leads 2-0. The Aggies and Owls faced off in the first weekend of the regular season at the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston. A&M defeated the Owls, 4-2, and Kyle Nicholson earned his first win of the year. It took A&M 11 innings to beat the Owls, 10-9, on Tuesday, March 20 at Reckling Park.
TICKETS
All games are sold out.
RADIO
All Texas A&M baseball games will be broadcast live on WTAW AM-1620. Dave South, The Voice of the Aggies, will call the action and will be assisted by Scott Clendenin. The pre-game show will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of each game.
TELEVISION
All games will be televised by the ESPN family of networks. Friday's game will be on ESPN, Saturday's on ESPNU, and Sunday's on ESPN2. Dave Barnett will call the action and Eduardo Perez will provide commentary.
AGGIEATHLETICS.COM
For complete tournament coverage, fans should log on to AggieAthletics.com. The site will feature game recaps and post-game audio.
PROBABLE PITCHING ROTATIONS
- GAME 1
A&M: David Newmann-LHP (11-1, 2.98 ERA)
Rice: Ryan Berry-RHP (11-2, 2.72 ERA)
GAME 2
A&M: TBD
Rice: TBD
GAME 3
A&M: TBD
Rice: TBD