Long Ball Dooms No. 3 Aggies in Series Opener at No. 8 Florida

Friday, March 15

Gainesville, Fla.

5:30 PM

Texas A&M

17-1, 0-1

Florida

11-6, 1-0

Texas A&M

Florida

Mar 15, 2024 | Baseball

Box Score Highlights Photo Gallery

By: Kyle Stafford, Athletics Communications

GAINESVILLE – The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team (17-1) dropped its first contest of the 2024 season Friday night, falling to No. 8 Florida (11-6), 8-6, in the series opener from Condron Family Ballpark.

Despite a strong performance in relief, Chris Cortez was handed the loss after allowing two runs over four innings. The junior also struck out a career-high tying eight batters on the night. Starter Ryan Prager saw his 24-inning scoreless streak snapped as the redshirt sophomore allowed six runs in 2.1 innings of work. Overall, the Aggie staff allowed a season-high five home runs on the night.

After the Gators struck first with a pair of runs in the opening frame, the Aggies responded a five-spot in the second to jump in front 5-2. With the bases loaded and one out, Ali Camarillo plated Hayden Schott, who led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch, with an RBI fielder's choice. Kaeden Kent followed with a game-tying RBI single to center before freshman Gavin Grahovac ripped a three-run homer over the wall in center. The long ball marked the fifth of the year for the freshman and second in as many games.

Florida answered in the bottom half of the third with four runs to regain the lead, 6-5. A solo homer, RBI single and three-run homer accounted for the damage from the Gators in the frame.

Jackson Appel delivered the response for the Aggies in the top half of the fourth as the senior blasted a solo shot 446 feet over the wall in left center. The homer marked the third of the season for the Texas A&M starting catcher.

After Cortez retired nine straight, seven by way of the strikeout, the Gators broke through against the junior in the sixth with a solo blast to regain the lead, 7-6. Florida tacked on an insurance run in the seventh with its fourth solo homer of the night to make the final 8-6.

Inside the Box Score

Texas A&M totaled seven hits on the evening and drew a season-low one walk.
Appel was the lone Aggie to record a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3.
Five other Maroon & White batters logged a hit on the night.
As a staff, the Aggies struck out 10 Gators.
Brad Rudis (0.2) and Weston Moss (1.0) each logged scoreless appearances for Texas A&M.

Notes

Friday's series opener marked the 28th meeting all-time between the two clubs.
Despite the loss, the Maroon & White still lead the all-time series 15-13.
Prager saw his 24-inning scoreless streak snapped in the loss. The scoreless streak was the longest by an Aggie since at least 2000.
Cortez struck out seven consecutive batters from the third through the fifth innings.
After going 1-for-4 on the night, Jace LaViolette has now reached base safely in all 18 games this season.
Braden Montgomery saw his 45-game on-base streak snapped in the contest.

Up Next
The Aggies will look to bounce back tomorrow as game two is set for 5:30 p.m. CST.

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