Jim Schlossnagle discusses breaking SEC Network 'curse', sends message before LSU game

Jim Schlossnagle has been at odds with the SEC Network down in Hoover this week. While Texas A&M has managed to overcome the unpredictable juju in the SEC Tournament, it has become a running joke that wonky things have happened whenever the Aggie skipper has put on the headset during the games.

Schlossnagle commented on his appearances on their broadcasts following A&M’s 5-0 victory over South Carolina on Thursday morning. He said that he jokingly blames the crews who call the games even though he also has a lot of love for all of them.

“I blame most of that stuff on Tom Hart, all things ESPN related,” said Schlossnagle with a chuckle. “I’m kidding. He’s a great friend of mine.”

“I mean, that’s a good time. It’s part of the allure of being in this conference is the great relationship between the conference and the network,” Schlossnagle said. “You get to know those people, whether it be — I’ve known Dave Neal for a long time. And everybody else, guys like (David) Dellucci I coached against, Todd Walker, of course.”

Still, with Texas A&M in the fourth round of the SEC Tournament today against LSU, Schlossnagle doesn’t want any more funny business. He has gotten a laugh, as we all have, out of the interactions but, in order to beat the Tigers, he says that the broadcast crew better be strategic about when they ask for him.

“Yeah, it’s fun. It’s fun, the banter back and forth, and I am glad we — as soon as (Ethan) Petry swung the bat, I was like, if he hits a homer when I’m standing here, I may quit,” Schlossnagle said. “I may quit coaching at the moment. And then Jace (LaViolette) made the catch.”

“We’ll see what happens tomorrow,” said Schlossnagle. “(Just) do not interview me when (Dylan) Crews and (Tommy) White are hitting.”

Justin Lamkin, Jim Schlossnagle react to Texas A&M’s one-hit shutout of South Carolina

Texas A&M survived to see Friday at the SEC Tournament thanks to a 5-0 shutout over South Carolina this morning in Hoover. While a lot when the way of the Aggies, a big key to the victory was the pitching performance from freshman LHP Justin Lamkin.

Following the win, Lamkin was interviewed on the SEC Network about his seven innings of solid work. He said he felt very good for his entire day in large part to a nice variety as well as trust in the growth he has gone through over the course of his year.

“(I) felt really good throughout the whole game. (I was) really mixing pitches and the three-pitch mix was really working well for me,” Lamkin said. “It really helped me get deeper in the game.”

“It’s just great having great coaches like this A&M staff does. That’s the first part of it,” said Lamkin. “Just getting stronger mentally. Knowing what pitch to throw and where you are at with the lineup really helps with that.”

Aggie head coach Jim Schlossnagle shared similar sentiments in his own interview after the win. He recognized that the Gamecocks weren’t at full strength. Still, he said Lamkin did more than enough to get the job done this morning inside Hoover Met. Stadium.

“I thought Lamkin was outstanding today,” Schlossnagle said. “I know South Carolina’s down some players but he took advantage of that by just filling up the strike zone.”