Texas A&M Loses Key Pitcher For Playoff Run

Texas A&M baseball kept rolling Saturday, but the Aggies’ postseason path just got a lot more complicated.

A&M blasted Texas State 17-2 to move into the College Station Regional final, yet the biggest news came after the final out.

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Head coach Michael Earley confirmed ace right-hander Aiden Sims won’t pitch again this season, ending any hope that the Aggies would get their No. 1 arm back for the NCAA Tournament stretch run.

Sims had been sidelined since early May with what was initially described as tightness.

There was optimism he might be available once postseason play arrived, especially with Texas A&M trying to turn a strong regional showing into a deeper push toward Omaha.

Instead, Earley made it clear the decision is about Sims’ health and long-term future.

That’s a brutal blow for an Aggies team with serious postseason goals.

Sims was Texas A&M’s most dependable starter this season, finishing 8-1 with a team-best 3.84 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.

He also struck out 73 hitters over 13 starts while holding opponents to a .213 batting average.

In a regional, super regional or College World Series setting, that kind of arm can change an entire weekend.

Now, A&M has to adjust on the fly.

The Aggies still have momentum after overwhelming Texas State, and their offense looked dangerous enough to carry a game by itself.

But postseason baseball usually comes down to pitching depth, clean innings and having someone who can stop a rally before it becomes a season-ending problem.

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Without Sims, Texas A&M will need its remaining arms to absorb bigger moments and give the lineup room to breathe.

Next up, the Aggies await the winner of USC and Texas State, with first pitch scheduled for 8:06 p.m. CT Sunday at Blue Bell Park. A regional title is still right there, but A&M’s road just got tougher.

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