Jim Schlossnagle shares update on Jace Laviolette's hamstring shortly before Game 1 vs. Tennessee: 'He says it's better'

One of Texas A&M’s top players, Jace Laviolette, has been battling a hamstring injury of late as the Aggies played on in the Men’s College World Series. Ahead of Game 1 of the championship series against Tennessee, head coach Jim Schlossnagle said the star sophomore outfielder is feeling better.

Laviolette was evidently hampered by the injury when the Aggies last played, on Wednesday evening. While he might not be in perfect health, Schlossnagle said on ESPN ahead of the game that Laviolette told him he’s good to go.

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“He says it’s better so that’s all, really, I can go on,” Schlossnagle said. “Trainer feels good about it. I don’t know if he’s 100 percent in terms of stealing bases and doing stuff like that, but he feels better than he did the other night.”

Along with Laviolette, Texas A&M will need a strong game from starting pitcher Ryan Prager.

Schlossnagle was blunt in assessing what he needs from the pitcher for the Aggies to get a win in Game 1 against Tennessee in the best-of-three series.

“I think survive the 1st inning, truly, to be honest with you,” Schlossnagle said. “Christian Moore loves to swing at the first pitch of the game, he does a lot of damage on that pitch. Because I think it’s important for us to — we’ve played from behind a lot but it’s important for us to get off to a good start. I am glad we’re the visiting team. You take the energy and the anxiety of the game and take it into offense instead of defense. But he’s going to have to get his fastball riding up and his breaking stuff down and when it’s the opposite, it’s not good.”

And ahead of some of the biggest games the Aggies have ever played in, Schlossnagle shared that he tries to keep things light and routine for his squad.

“They know what it is, they know what’s at stake,” Schlossnagle said. “I think playing in the SEC and now having been here, this will be our fourth game here — I think the more routine and loose you can keep them, the better off we’ll be.” 

2024 NCAA College World Series: Bracket, game times, TV

All times ET.

June 14

• Game 1: North Carolina 3, Virginia 2
• Game 2: Tennessee 12, Florida State 11

June 15

• Game 3: Kentucky 5, NC State 4 (10 innings)
• Game 4: Texas A&M 3, Florida 2

June 16

• Game 5: Florida State 7, Virginia 3 | Virginia is eliminated
• Game 6: Tennessee 6, North Carolina 1

June 17

• Game 7: Florida 5, NC State 4 | NC State is eliminated
• Game 8: Texas A&M 5, Kentucky 1

June 18

• Game 9: Florida State 9, North Carolina 5 | North Carolina is eliminated

June 19

• Game 10: Florida 15, Kentucky 4 | Kentucky is eliminated
• Game 11: Tennessee 7, Florida State 2 | Florida State is eliminated
• Game 12: Texas A&M 6, Florida 0 | Florida is eliminated

June 22

• MCWS Final Game 1: Tennessee vs. Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

June 23

• MCWS Final Game 2: Tennessee vs. Texas A&M, 2 p.m. | ABC

June 24

• MCWS Final Game 3 (if necessary): Tennessee vs. Texas A&M, 7 p.m. | ESPN