PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY (MARCH 2)
Texas A&M - #38 Michael Wacha (Jr., RHP, 1-0, 0.00)
Michigan State - #41 Tony Bucciferro (Sr., RHP, 2-0, 2.25)
SATURDAY (MARCH 3)
Texas A&M - #36 Ross Stripling (Sr., RHP, 1-0, 3.29)
Michigan State - #5 Andrew Waszak (Jr., RHP, 1-0, 1.38)
SUNDAY (MARCH 4)
Texas A&M - #55 Rafael Pineda (R-So., RHP, 2-0, 1.29)
Michigan State - #16 David Garner (So., RHP, 0-1, 7.27)
FOLLOWING THE ACTION
• RADIO - Fans can listen locally on WTAW-AM 1620 (Friday & Sunday) and 1150 AM The Zone (Saturday) ... Dave South (Friday & Sunday play-by-play) and Will Johnson (Saturday play-by-play) along with selected commentators will call the action ... pregame show begins 30 minutes prior to first pitch.
• INTERNET - aggieathletics.com will offer live play-by-play and statistics ... fans can watch the game free of charge on 12thManTV.
• MOBILE PHONE - listen to the game on your iPhone, Blackberry or PDA free of charge ... log on to radioaggieland.com for more information.
TEXAS A&M/MICHIGAN STATE SERIES NOTABLES
Texas A&M and Michigan State have never met on the baseball diamond prior to this weekend ... The Aggies, however, are 61-28 all-time against teams from the Big 10 Conference, a figure that excludes current Big 10 member Nebraska, which was prior to this season a conference-mate of Texas A&M in the Big 12.
MORE ON MICHIGAN STATE
Last season, the Spartans won a share of the Big 10 title for the first time since 1979 and this year were picked as the league favorite by the Big 10 coaches in the conference's preseason poll ... Michigan State returns 26 players from last season's squad that went 36-21, including 2011 first team All-Big 10 honorees in centerfielder Torsten Boss, right-handed pitcher Tony Bucciferro and second baseman Ryan Jones ... Head coach Jake Boss is in his fourth season at the school and holds a 97-74 (.567) overall record ... MSU is currently in the mist of a stretch of 17 consecutive games away from home to start the 2012 season ... The Spartans home opener is slated for March 23 against Oakland.
NOTES AND NOTABLES
• The Aggies' defense has been a source of pride early this season as the Aggies have committed just three errors in 350 chances this season to lead the Big 12 with a .991 team fielding percentage.
• Reigning Big 12 Player of Year Tyler Naquin continues his surge at the plate to begin the 2012 campaign. The Spring, Texas, native, who led the nation in hits last season, currently paces the Big 12 with 18 knocks and maintains a cool .563 clip at the plate. The All-American tied a career-high with four hits in a 4-for-5 effort at the plate against Northwestern State on Wednesday.
• Freshman right-hander Corey Ray impressed during his first career start Wednesday against Northwestern State, tossing seven strong innings allowing just one run on six hits while walking one and striking out four.
• Junior left fielder Brandon Wood is also sizzling with the bat of late, hitting safely in eight of his last 13 at bats, including a career-best 4-for-5, four-RBI performance in Tuesday's victory over Northwestern State. The effort raised his batting average to .367 on the year.
• Senior lefty reliever Estevan Uriegas has been a rock out of the A&M bullpen, leading the team with six appearances without yielding a hit and retiring all six runners he has inherited this season.
• Senior Jacob House etched his name in Aggie baseball history as he became the first player to homer in the newly renovated Blue Bell Park, taking a first-inning pitch from UIC starter Joey Begel during the season opener over the wall into the newly-constructed right field bullpen ... The Mansfield, Texas, native repeated the shot on Saturday, hitting an encore first inning, two-run home run.
UP NEXT
The Aggies entertain Prairie A&M in a Tuesday contest on Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park before welcoming No. 15 Cal State Fullerton to College Station for a three-game weekend series.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
• FRIDAY ... Free Giveaway Friday - First 250 Fans will receive "Olsen Magic" sunglasses.
• SATURSDAY ... Greek Day - Any student wearing Greek letters gets in FREE! ... Have A Catch - Fans are invited to play catch on the field for 30 minutes after the game.
• SUNDAY ... Sunday Rundday ... presented by the Junior Aggie Club and the Pool Guy" - Kids are invited to run the bases following the game ... Postgame Autograph Sessions ... Fans are invited to stay after the game for an autograph session and poster giveaway.
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