Know Your Enemy: Hogs vs. Aggies preview with Aggies Wire’s Joey Ickes
As we approach another SEC weekend series, it is time to introduce a new way to preview the upcoming matchup. We present to you a series called “Know Your Enemy” where we dig deeper into Arkansas Baseball’s upcoming opponent with a member of a fellow College Wire site.
This week, we get to know this weekend’s opponent, the Texas A&M Aggies, thanks to Joey Ickes, managing editor of the newly launched Aggies Wire.
The No. 4 Razorbacks travel to Texas A&M for a three-game series beginning Friday night at Blue Bell Park. Arkansas has bounced back by winning seven games in a row following their first SEC series loss since 2019 to Florida earlier this month. The Aggies have had a hot run as well, winning three of their last four games over ranked opponents.
Ickes has had his finger on the pulse of Aggies baseball all season long, and we asked him several questions regarding Texas A&M Baseball, and his take on how the weekend will shake out.
What's your assessment of Texas A&M halfway through the SEC schedule?
Texas A&M UniversityÕs Rayan Targac celebrates a run during the game on Tuesday, April, 12, 2022, at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The Aggies seem to be a team headed in the right direction. They are only 8-7 in conference play, but they have won 4 of their last 6 SEC games, including a big series win over Georgia last weekend.
Offensively they seem to be hitting their stride, after posting 31 runs in 3 games last weekend against the Bulldogs, and then winning their mid-week game against Dallas Baptist 14-1 after just 7 innings (run rule).
Who is the key arm in the Aggies rotation?
Texas A&M pitcher Nathan Dettmer throws against Alabama at Sewell-Thomas Stadium Friday, April 1, 2022, in the first game of the weekend series. Gary Cosby Jr./Tuscaloosa News
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The key arm will be Nathan Dettmer. He is only 3-2 on the year, but his last outing against Georgia was outright dominant. He struck out 9 Bulldogs in 8 innings, giving up only 1 unearned run in the process, and won SEC Pitcher of the Week. He’s likely to be the Friday night starter.
Who has been the biggest surprise in the Aggies lineup so far?
Texas’ Trey Faltine runs from A&M third baseman Ryan Targac during the game against Texas A&M at Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
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The biggest surprise from my perspective, is sophomore infielder, Ryan Targac. He was a spot player last year, starting only 15 games, and batting only .200. But he’s been basically a full time player in 2022, and is second on the team with 8 home runs, and even hit for the cycle in a game against Kentucky.
After winning the Georgia series in dominating fashion, how important will keeping momentum be in the series with Arkansas?
Texas A&M University defeated Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 5-3, during the game on Tuesday, April, 12, 2022, at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas.
It really is imperative that they keep it going. They’ve won 2 conference series in a row, and if they want to close the gap on the Hogs in the SEC west, they’ll need to come out on top this weekend.
What is the key to getting a series win over Arkansas?
Texas A&M cheers after a grand slam during the game at Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
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This will come down to the Aggies bats ability to put up runs against the Razorback pitching staff. If they can continue their hot streak at the plate, they’ll give themselves a chance to win a vital series in the SEC West.
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