Texas A&M comes up just short in 3-2 loss to Ole Miss, SEC title race

GAME #54: Ole Miss 3, Texas A&M 2
RECORDS: Texas A&M 41-13 (20-10 SEC); Ole Miss 39-17 (18-12)
WP: Will Stokes (2-0)
LP: Kyle Simonds (8-3)
S: Wyatt Short (11)
BOX SCORE

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Oh, so close.

Those are three words that can accurately describe the game played between Texas A&M and Ole Miss on Saturday at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.

A&M took on the Rebels needing a win to capture its first SEC championship since joining the league. In the regular season finale — and on Senior Day — the Aggies would fall 3-2 in what can be described only as a battle. While they took the first two games of the series by showcasing the offense (scoring 17 runs total on 27 hits), Saturday's was a different story. 

Even though the Aggies managed eight hits and were awarded six walks against Rebel pitching, the statistic that sticks out on the score sheet is runners left on base: 12.

A&M also made one costly error, which proved to be the only unearned run given up on the night. Aggies shortstop Austin Homan overthrew first base on a toss that went into the dugout; that runner would score later in the inning after an infield single.

"I thought we played great, and I thought Ole Miss played great," said A&M head coach Rob Childress. "We had some opportunities to cash in some runs but it just didn't happen. Just a great ball game, but I'm disappointed for our players that they don't get to celebrate at home. 

The Aggies certainly had their chances throughout the game, but specifically in the closing inning.

With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, the Aggies were oh so close to clinching the vaunted SEC championship, but a Hunter Melton pop out and a hard-hit ground out by Ryne Birk ended the bid.

"There is a lot of 'shoulda, coulda, wouldas' there, losing 3-2 in a big game, and we had our opportunities," Childress said. "But the guys played hard and fearless and it just didn't happen."

While the offense was not quite where it needed to be, the pitching was a positive. Senior Kyle Simonds combined with junior Mark Ecker to produce a line of seven hits, zero walks, seven strikeouts and only two earned runs. 

"I knew I had to go pound the zone," Ecker. said "I also knew from pitching Thursday night I could get them out pretty easily as long as I attacked the zone and make them get themselves out. They put some good swings on some balls, but they just did not fall.

"It's always bitter when you have that taste in your mouth, especially when we lost to TCU last year in the Super Regional, but it kind of just fuels us more going forward."

But the season continues. Despite not claiming the SEC's top spot, the Aggies now turn their attention to Hoover, Ala., the site of the SEC Tournament. While this loss is definitely a tough pill to swallow, A&M is not worried about its future.

"Luckily, I think we locked up a top-four seed, which means we don't play until Wednesday," said senior outfielder J.B. Moss. "We'll flush this one, get a few days of practice in, and get back into the grind before we have to go play on Wednesday.

"I know the guys will be anxious and ready to go come Wednesday."

The Aggies will head to Hoover and will look to add a tournament championship, one still oh so close to their reach.