Jim Schlossnagle shares where Texas A&M's bullpen currently stands

Texas A&M went into opening weekend not quite sure what to expect in the bullpen and without a definite closer named, but the Aggies will come out of the weekend feeling pretty good about how things went.

Coach Jim Schlossnagle had outlined his team’s plan in the bullpen going into the weekend.

“I’d say it’s still up in the air. It’s relative to who’s available,” Schlossnagle said. “And obviously if we have to get a couple outs toward the end of the game and (Evan) Aschenbeck hasn’t pitched, I trust him beyond anybody. But beyond that, I think Brock Peery, a kid from Arizona State, shows a unique view depending on the hitter, depending on the matchup.”

Both of those two threw this weekend, making their season debut on Saturday against McNeese.

Aschenbeck actually ran into trouble while trying to protect a 1-0 lead, giving up the tying run after surrendering three hits in 2.2 innings of action. But that was the only run the Texas A&M bullpen gave up all weekend.

Peery threw 0.2 scoreless innings on Saturday, then did the same on Sunday. He walked a better and hit one.

So things will likely continue to be fluid in the pecking order for a little while as the Aggies find their feet on the mound. Still, giving up just one run and seven hits out of the bullpen in 10.1 innings of work isn’t too shabby.

“But to say we have this defined closer, no, we don’t have that yet,” Schlossnagle said. “But there’s some guys that… what Max has done, coach Weiner has done is he’s really given each pitcher some weapons. Even if it’s just one thing, all right, then it’s our job to try and match them up, put them in a good scenario.

“OK, if he’s a breaking ball guy, OK, this is a really good matchup to get this out or maybe two of the next three outs or whatever that is. So we’ll go into it that way. The best teams I’ve ever coached have that closer. Hopefully we’ll have that guy. If not we’ll find other ways to do it.”

Texas A&M seemed to have a pretty tight finger on that pulse this weekend. The Aggies waltzed to a 15-0 win, a 6-1 win and a 10-0 win to open the season.

The team will be back in action Tuesday for a midweek contest against UIW before hosting Wagner in a three-game weekend series.