Hook ‘em Horns signs flipped upside down throughout the crowd as Texas A&M players piled on top of each other at home plate following a walk-off home run in last year’s Lone Star Showdown.
The Aggie celebration continued following their 5-4 victory over Texas in College Station.
“SEC” chants echoed throughout Olsen Field as one Aggie player flipped a horn sign, this time directing it towards the Texas dugout. Frustrations flared when the Longhorns cleared the dugout as the Aggie crowd only grew louder.
One year later, Texas is set to play No. 13 Texas A&M again. This time the showdown is on Texas’ turf at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, and head coach David Pierce is at the helm.
“A&M was a gut punch last year, but we’re over that now,” senior first baseman Kacy Clemens said. “There’s a total new feeling here and we’ve got a lot of talent and we’ve got to win now.”
The rivalry went through a two year hiatus from 2013-2015, but they put on a show when the Lone Star Showdown resumed last year. Kacy Clemens clearly recalls the loss last season, but said he hopes the Aggies didn’t forget what happened in 2014.
“That was a tough game,” Clemens said. “I want to know if they’re over us knocking them out of the regional my freshman year. That’s what I want to know. Hopefully they’re not over that.”
Despite the brutal loss last season, Texas leads the series 237-125-5, including Texas’ elimination of the Aggies in the 2014 NCAA Houston Regional.
With all the hype surrounding the anticipated matchup, Pierce jokingly said Tuesday night’s matchup with Texas A&M is “just another mid-week game,” following the series sweep of UCLA Sunday afternoon.
But an expected sellout crowd says otherwise, and if that wasn’t enough to set the stage, a familiar face will take the mound. Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy will be in attendance to toss the ceremonial first pitch in what should be a postseason atmosphere Tuesday night.
“It’s always fun,” Pierce said. “Anytime you match up with a historical rival it just gives you a little bit more energy. The crowd makes it even more so. I know we’ll come out ready to play, we’re just going to have to control emotions.”
