Ryan Prager opens up on how much it means to him to be pitching on big stage in Omaha

Ryan Prager was one of the stories of Texas A&M’s win over Kentucky Monday. The pitcher went 6.2 innings, allowed zero earned runs and had four strikeouts.

But it was a long journey back to the mound as a starter. Prager missed the entire 2023 season with Tommy John surgery, so nights like Monday seem far-fetched at one point.

In fact, Prager hadn’t showcased his stuff since his freshman year until he came back in 2024.

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“Super grateful to be back,” Prager said postgame. “Last time we were here, left a sour taste in my mouth. And to be able come back with this group of guys and do what we did, I think it was just a testament to who this team. We showed we can do it with a variety of different ways. To be honest, we just love being around each other. And the more days we can be around each other, we’re truly grateful for them.”

Prager wasn’t as sharp as last week, but he was able to bounce back. He credited the atmosphere of Omaha, his teammates and of course mental toughness.

“After last week as soon as I came out there was some frustration,” Prager said. “But once we made the last out all that went away and it was super fun. We just want an opportunity to come to Omaha. I thought that went away pretty quick.

“But those first couple of days afterwards, there was maybe some thinking, maybe a little bit of overthinking. But really coming back to neutral and understanding that what I’ve done all year has led to some success and nothing really needs to change. There doesn’t have to be a drastic change.”

As far as conditions in the air and on the field? It didn’t phase Prager.

“Showing up to the park, I think we knew what the conditions were,” Prager said. “And that definitely had a play in it, but also just staying true and doing what we do and letting kind of everything play out how it played out.”

As long as Texas A&M keeps winning, the road will be smooth in a double elimination format. Prager could be a big part of a potential national title winning Aggie team.

What a ride from missing an entire spring to coming about big against an SEC foe.