Jim Schlossnagle provides injury update on Chris Cortez, apologizes for HBP

Things fell apart for Texas A&M at the mound during their Friday loss to Oklahoma to open up their College World Series run. The Sooners punched the Aggies in the mouth early, busting out 13 runs throughout the day with most coming in the early innings, including a grand slam by Jackson Nicklaus. So yes, pitching was indeed an issue for Jim Schlossnagle’s club.

As if the performance wasn’t hideous enough, injuries also plagued the Aggies at the mound. Texas A&M pitcher Chris Cortez claimed a neck injury bothered him during his time with the ball. Schlossnagle noted he hadn’t had any arm trouble throughout the year and thought maybe his hamstring was bothering him.

None of that, though. “He said it was something with his neck,” Schlossnagle claims he was told when he visited the mound. “I don’t know, just came out of nowhere,” Schlossnagle surmised. But offered reassurance that it’s not a big problem. “Still throwing 95 miles an hour. Was throwing strikes,” Schlossnagle said. Then the coach joked, “obviously, the next pitch he almost killed Pettis. So tell Kendall we said sorry.” Kendall Pettis, a Sooner hitter who was struck by one of Cortez’s errant pitches.

Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. Texas A&M went splat as Oklahoma cruised past them in Game 1 of the CWS.

Jim Schlossnagle credits Oklahoma for capitalizing on early walks

Clearly the defensive side of the diamond was the problem for Texas A&M in their loss to Oklahoma to kick off the College World Series. The Aggies scored eight runs, busting up one of Oklahoma’s premier pitchers in the process, and even tacked more damage on once their closer came in. Hitting was no issue for the Aggies.

The pitching and defense, however, was dreadful. First-year Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle was madder than a wet hornet over his team’s pitiful display in the field. “I think we gave up 19 free bases in the first four innings,” Schlossnagle recounted. “We didn’t defend. Just gave up a lot of free bases. Then they got the big hit,” said Schloss while giving all the credit to Oklahoma.

He was particularly upset over the grand slam by Jackson Nicklaus. “We set the table” for that one, according to Schlossnagle. The Aggies let OU load up the bases just for Nicklaus to smash one for four runs. Just a backbreaker.

Texas A&M will need to be much sharper if they plan to stick around past their next game vs. Texas.