To get to the College World Series final, as Texas A&M has, head coach Jim Schlossnagle understands that it takes a complete team effort across every phase of the game to make it happen.
A&M has been better at some and not as spectacular at others throughout the year, but in the postseason, they’ve found contributions in every department. When speaking to media ahead of the first game of the championship series, Schlossnagle identified that balanced effort as reason No. 1 that Texas A&M is still standing.
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“I think all phases of the game are important — pitching, defense, timely hitting. If you get all three, you’ll win. If you get two of the three, you’ve got a great chance.”
Speaking specifically to Omaha and Charles Schwab Field, Schlossnagle said that defensive ability is most important in this venue, noting how some plays by Florida’s outfielders were crucial in their matchup.
“Outfield defense is incredibly important in this ballpark. We’re banged up in the outfield. And you saw — shoot, we had a chance to score 10 runs the other day if it wasn’t for Michael Robertson, the center fielder. He ran down, made some really nice plays out there on Teddy Burton and a couple other guys. The entire thing is important.”
Schlossnagle also knows that another terrific defense is coming up in Tennessee: “I know Tennessee has played awesome defense. I think anybody who has made it to this point has done that,” he commented.
He’s glad his own team has been able to lean on that part of their identity, since the Aggies relied on their bats to earn wins for much of the year.
“We’ve caught the baseball and pitched well,” Jim Schlossnagle said of their run. “That’s really been the recipe with some timely hits, because I think we’ve hit one homer, by a freshman, in this tournament. And the home run most of the season has been a big part of our offense.”
The A&M coach isn’t worried about his team lacking in the home run department, because he knows this group is balanced enough to step up in other areas. “It’s why you have a great season, you can win games different ways,” he says.
Now, Texas A&M just has to find a way to win two more games.
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