Texas A&M baseball finished its fall exhibition schedule with one win, one loss and plenty for Michael Earley’s staff to evaluate before the 2027 season.

The Aggies opened fall ball with a 9-5 loss to Rice in a 14-inning scrimmage before responding with a 13-10 victory over McNeese across 12 innings. The results will not carry into the spring, but the extended exhibitions allowed A&M to use 29 pitchers and several different lineup combinations.

That was important for a team returning only 15 letterwinners while adding 14 freshmen and 15 transfers. Earley entered the fall knowing it would take time to determine how those pieces fit together.

“Again, 66 percent of our team is new. I’d be willing to believe that most of them – besides like a Jack Bell or Savoie at Clemson – this will be the biggest crowd they’ve ever played in front of. So it’s really big for them. Learning how to control and handle it is a part of playing here.”

Pitching staff shows strikeout potential

A&M’s pitching staff was the biggest concern coming out of last season, leading Earley to hire former major league pitcher Barry Enright as pitching coach. Earley discussed Enright’s early impact and the health of several pitchers before the exhibitions began.

There were some encouraging signs during the two games. Clayton Freshcorn started against Rice and struck out four while allowing one run over two innings. Gavin Lyons received the start against McNeese and recorded five strikeouts over two scoreless frames, including three in the opening inning.

Several newcomers also delivered scoreless appearances. Several pitchers delivered scoreless appearances. Newcomers Wade Cooper, Trent Collier and Cayden King kept Rice off the scoreboard, while returning pitchers Hunter Vincent and Cooper Powell also worked scoreless innings. Against McNeese, newcomers Chandler Hart, Caleb Kimble and Logan Prisco posted scoreless appearances, while freshman Trent Vilade struck out the side in the sixth inning.

The Aggies finished the McNeese scrimmage with 22 strikeouts, showing the type of swing-and-miss ability Enright could have throughout the staff. Walks remain something to clean up after A&M issued eight against the Cowboys.

Returning hitters provide stability

Nico Partida gave the Aggies their best offensive performance of the fall. He reached base in all six plate appearances against McNeese, finishing 3-for-3 with three walks and one run scored.

Zane Becker also collected three hits in the finale after recording an RBI single against Rice. Dylan Schlaegel was A&M’s only player with multiple hits in the opener and added two runs against McNeese.

Those performances matter for a lineup replacing several players selected in the MLB draft. Partida and Jorian Wilson are two of the most established returning hitters, and Wilson drove in a run with a double against Rice.

Newcomers flash their potential

Clemson transfer Nate Savoie recorded an RBI double in his first exhibition with the Aggies. Savoie discussed his decision to transfer to A&M and his work with the coaching staff before making his debut. Freshmen JD Alexander and Catcher Hopkins also added RBI singles against Rice.

Freshman Cole Travers produced the biggest swing of the fall. After McNeese tied the finale in the 10th inning, Travers hit a two-run home run off the scoreboard in left field to put A&M back in front.

The Aggies also showed more speed against McNeese by stealing seven bases. That could become an important part of an offense trying to replace proven power.

Plenty remains to clean up

Texas A&M produced 24 hits, drew 22 walks and scored 18 runs across the two exhibitions. However, the Aggies also left 19 runners on base and committed three errors against McNeese.

Fall ball was never going to answer every question surrounding a roster with 29 newcomers. It did show that A&M has several pitchers capable of missing bats and enough offensive options to create competition throughout the lineup.

Earley and his staff now have several months to clean up the walks, defensive mistakes and missed scoring opportunities. The Aggies will open the 2027 season against Milwaukee on Feb. 19 at Blue Bell Park.