Kats visit No. 2 A&M in SEC Network+ game
5/16/2016 3:51:00 PM | Baseball
COLLEGE STATION – It is no secret that the Sam Houston State baseball program has not shied away from scheduling formidable non-conference opponents. Arguably the toughest game on that slate takes place Tuesday night.
The Bearkats visit No. 2 Texas A&M for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network Plus, available through the WatchESPN app and ESPN3.com.
The matchup marks the 15th game this season for Sam Houston against a preseason top 25 foe. Sam Houston has played three games against No. 6 Louisiana, two against No. 12 Houston, three versus No. 21 Oklahoma, one against No. 23 Texas, a pair against No. 24 Rice and a trio against No. 25 Texas Tech.
Unlike in a majority of those contests, which all but four came before the month of April, Sam Houston is surging, finding themselves in the mix of the Southland Conference championship race, trailing league-leader Southeastern Louisiana by one game entering the final weekend.
Sam Houston has won 27 of the last 34 games, moving its record to 33-19 after taking two of three at Lamar last weekend. The Aggies, meanwhile, have raced out to a 39-11 record and have won eight of nine series in the Southeastern Conference including two of three at No. 8 South Carolina last weekend.
The visit marks the final non-conference game of the season and closes out a seven-game road trip for the Bearkats. Sam Houston defeated Texas A&M two season ago, 8-1, in first visit to College Station but the Aggies returned the favor with a 3-1 win later in the season and 19-4 victory last year.
For head coach Matt Deggs, the game comes against a familiar opponent. The head man spent five seasons at Texas A&M as an assistant coach between 2006-10. There, Deggs helped the Aggies to a 199-113-2 record including four NCAA Regionals as hitting coach.
While a majority of Sam Houston's players hail from the greater Houston area, it will also be a homecoming for freshman Jaxxon Grisham. The first baseman helped lead College Station High School to the state championship and was a two-time all-state honoree for the Cougars.
Following the midweek, Sam Houston opens its final home series of the season on Thursday against Houston Baptist. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. as is the case on Friday. The Bearkats will honor its six seniors prior to Saturday's 1 p.m. tilt.
