The South Carolina Gamecocks entered the 2025 SEC Tournament with high hopes and national respect, but those aspirations came to a crashing halt Friday afternoon at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The No. 14-ranked Gamecocks, riding a wave of momentum after a gritty opening-round win, ran into a juggernaut in top-ranked Texas A&M and were eliminated following a 6-2 defeat in the quarterfinal round.
This was more than just a loss—it was a reality check delivered by a team firing on all cylinders. Texas A&M, already crowned regular-season SEC champions and considered a national title favorite, showcased the depth, discipline, and dominance that have become their calling card this season. South Carolina, meanwhile, was left with more questions than answers as the NCAA Tournament approaches.
The Gamecocks (38-18) had their chances, but in a game where execution is everything, they fell short in key moments. Texas A&M (47-7) didn’t just win—they controlled the game from the first pitch to the last out, proving once again why they’re the gold standard in college baseball this season.
The tone was set early by Texas A&M starting pitcher Ryan Prager, the left-hander who has been virtually untouchable all season. Prager entered the game with a sparkling ERA and left it with his reputation firmly intact. He scattered five hits over six innings, allowing just one run while striking out eight. His fastball-changeup mix kept Gamecock hitters off balance all afternoon.
Prager was efficient and poised, working ahead in counts and inducing weak contact when it mattered most. South Carolina’s offense, which had looked sharp in previous outings, managed just one extra-base hit against him—a double by Ethan Petry in the fourth inning that led to their first and only run off Prager.
Petry’s RBI knock briefly cut the lead to 2-1, but it was as close as South Carolina would get. Every time they threatened, Texas A&M’s pitching slammed the door. The Aggies’ bullpen was equally dominant, with relievers Chris Cortez and Evan Aschenbeck combining to allow just one run over the final three innings. Aschenbeck, the SEC’s top closer, secured the final five outs with clinical precision, earning his 12th save of the year and preserving Prager’s 10th win.
While the Aggies shined on the mound, their offense was just as sharp. They struck first in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on a leadoff walk and a costly error to plate two runs off Gamecocks starter Eli Jones. The junior right-hander battled gamely, but he lacked the margin for error against a lineup stacked with power and patience.
Texas A&M’s Hunter Grimes provided the early spark with a two-run single that found a hole through the left side. That swing shifted momentum and forced South Carolina to play catch-up—a tall order against the best team in the nation.
Jones lasted just four innings, yielding four hits and four runs—only two of them earned. A pair of defensive miscues in the third and fourth innings loomed large, extending innings and giving the Aggies extra chances they didn’t waste.
South Carolina’s defense, usually reliable, faltered under the pressure. A throwing error by shortstop Michael Braswell and a misplayed fly ball in left field helped extend Texas A&M rallies, contributing directly to the scoreboard. Those were the kinds of mistakes that simply cannot happen against a team with the Aggies’ firepower.
Texas A&M added two more runs in the fifth on a double by Braden Montgomery, the All-American outfielder who has been a thorn in every opponent’s side this season. His timely hit put the Aggies up 4-1 and gave their pitching staff breathing room they never relinquished.
Despite the uphill climb, the Gamecocks continued to fight. They scratched across a run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly from Cole Messina, trimming the lead to 4-2 and injecting a sliver of hope into the South Carolina dugout. But just as quickly, Texas A&M responded. A solo home run from Gavin Grahovac in the bottom of the frame snuffed out any comeback hopes, and an RBI single from Jace LaViolette made it 6-2, putting the game out of reach.
For South Carolina head coach Mark Kingston, the loss was a tough pill to swallow but also a moment for reflection.
“Texas A&M is the No. 1 team in the country for a reason,” Kingston said postgame. “They’re talented, well-coached, and they execute at a very high level. I thought our guys competed, but we didn’t play clean enough to beat a team like that today.”
He added, “We’ve got to regroup and get ready for the NCAA Tournament. We’ve had a strong season, and I believe in this team’s ability to make a deep run. But we’ve got to learn from today.”
The Gamecocks will now turn their attention to the NCAA Regionals, where they’re expected to earn a hosting bid despite the early SEC Tournament exit. Their résumé remains impressive, with series wins over Arkansas, Florida, and LSU, as well as a high RPI that should keep them in favorable seeding territory.
But make no mistake—there are areas that need shoring up. Chief among them is consistency at the plate. While the Gamecocks have shown they can hit with anyone when locked in, they’ve also been prone to cold spells, especially against elite pitching. Friday’s loss exposed some of those vulnerabilities.
Veteran leaders like Petry and Messina will need to step up in the coming weeks, both on the field and in the clubhouse. The postseason is as much about leadership as it is talent, and South Carolina will need both if they hope to get past the Regional and into Omaha.
Meanwhile, Texas A&M continues to steamroll its way toward a potential SEC Tournament title and a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s squad has now won nine straight games and shows no signs of slowing down.
“Our guys are locked in,” Schlossnagle said. “We respect every opponent, and we knew South Carolina would be a challenge. But our team believes in each other, and we’re just focused on one pitch at a time. That’s been the message all year.”
That message is clearly being heard. The Aggies are disciplined, dangerous, and delightfully efficient. Whether it’s manufacturing runs, hitting for power, or shutting down lineups with ruthless precision, they can beat you in every possible way. That versatility and depth make them the most feared team in the nation—and a nightmare draw for anyone hoping to end their season.
For now, South Carolina heads home to lick its wounds and prepare. The SEC Tournament exit stings, especially when it comes at the hands of a rival as dominant as Texas A&M. But the beauty—and cruelty—of postseason baseball is that the next opportunity is always just around the corner.
The Gamecocks know they’re still alive. Their dreams of Omaha are intact. But the path won’t get any easier. If anything, Friday’s loss proved just how high the bar has been set. If South Carolina wants to reach the pinnacle of college baseball, they now have the clearest example of what it takes.
The SEC gauntlet has ended—for now—but the real journey is about to begin. For the Gamecocks, how they respond could define their season. The road to redemption, to relevance, to Omaha, is still in front of them. But only if they’re willing to learn from defeat, refocus with urgency, and bring their very best when it matters most.