Texas A&M loses to Cal Poly in the series finale after blowing a 9th-inning lead, their first defeat of 2025.

The Texas A&M Aggies, fresh off a dominant start to the 2025 season, were cruising toward what would have been a perfect series sweep against Cal Poly. The Aggies had looked poised to take the series finale and continue their unbeaten streak, but what unfolded on the diamond at Olsen Field on a chilly March afternoon would deflate the energy in the ballpark and leave fans and players alike in stunned silence.

With an 8-5 lead heading into the ninth inning, the Aggies appeared to be on their way to securing a third straight win, extending their early-season momentum. But the unthinkable happened. Texas A&M’s bullpen, which had been a strength throughout the opening weeks of the season, faltered in dramatic fashion, allowing a relentless Cal Poly team to mount an improbable comeback. The Mustangs scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, handing the Aggies their first loss of the 2025 season with a 9-8 final score.

The defeat wasn’t just a loss in the win-loss column. It was a gut-wrenching reminder of how quickly a game can slip away in college baseball. The Aggies had controlled the majority of the game, and with only three outs to go, they were well within reach of another victory. Yet, in the span of a few minutes, their bullpen imploded, and the team’s emotional high from the first two victories of the series turned into shock and disbelief. The loss raises a number of questions about what went wrong, the performance of the bullpen, and how Texas A&M will respond moving forward.

This loss would have ramifications far beyond just one game. It challenged the team’s mentality, forced them to reflect on their weaknesses, and placed pressure on coach Jim Schlossnagle and his staff to ensure this defeat didn’t unravel the early success the team had built. In this piece, we break down the key moments from the game, analyze what went wrong in the ninth inning, and explore how Texas A&M plans to move forward after their first defeat of the season.

The Aggies’ Strong Start and Unforeseen Collapse

Entering the game, Texas A&M was riding high on a wave of confidence after dominating Cal Poly in the first two games of the series. The Aggies had outscored the Mustangs 15-4, with their pitchers firing on all cylinders and their offense showcasing its depth and firepower. It seemed like the Aggies were on their way to another decisive win and could use this series as a springboard to set the tone for the rest of the season.

Early on in the game, the Aggies’ offense looked in sync, scoring early and often. By the end of the seventh inning, Texas A&M had built an 8-5 lead. The defense was solid, and starting pitcher Chris Mercado had kept Cal Poly’s hitters in check for the most part. Mercado had been a key reason for the Aggies’ early success in the season, and he was throwing with confidence. His fastball had good velocity, and his breaking pitches were keeping Cal Poly off balance.

However, the tide began to turn when it was time to hand the ball to the bullpen. Head coach Jim Schlossnagle had been relying on a few key relievers to come in and close out games. But in the bottom of the ninth inning, things began to unravel. With Bryce Wilkerson coming in to secure the final outs of the game, the Mustangs were not intimidated.

In the top of the ninth inning, Cal Poly mounted a rally that began with a leadoff single by Trevor Fielder, followed by a walk to Nick Miller. With no outs and two men on base, the Aggies’ lead was already under threat. Fielder and Miller advanced to second and third base on a sacrifice bunt, leaving the Mustangs with two runners in scoring position and one out to work with.

That’s when things really started to fall apart. Austin Lytle, a solid contributor for the Mustangs all weekend, stepped up to the plate. Lytle had been a thorn in the Aggies’ side throughout the series, and he came through in the clutch once again, hitting a two-run single that cut the Aggies’ lead to 8-7. The energy in the stadium shifted immediately, and the crowd, which had been full of optimism just moments before, now felt the tension in the air.

The Aggies had only one out left to record, but the Mustangs weren’t done yet. They continued to fight, as Chris Callahan came to the plate. Callahan, who had been struggling in the series to this point, came up with the biggest hit of the day. On a 2-2 count, Callahan smoked a line drive to center field that drove in Lytle from second base, tying the game at 8-8.

The Aggies were shell-shocked, and the previously confident bullpen now found itself in a battle to salvage the game. But Cal Poly wasn’t finished yet. The Mustangs were relentless, and with two outs, Carter DeYoung came through with the game-winning hit—a single to left field that scored Callahan from second base, giving Cal Poly a 9-8 lead.

The Bullpen Breakdown: What Went Wrong?

The collapse in the ninth inning was a rare breakdown for a Texas A&M bullpen that had been a key strength of the team early in the season. The Aggies had entered the series finale with a perfect 5-0 record, and their pitching staff had been one of the most efficient in college baseball. The bullpen, in particular, had been lights out, with a team ERA under 2.00 and opponents struggling to get solid contact.

So, what went wrong? To put it simply, the bullpen failed to execute when it mattered most. Bryce Wilkerson, who had been solid earlier in the season, didn’t have his best stuff on this particular day. The fastballs were flat, and his off-speed pitches weren’t fooling the Mustang hitters. Instead of closing out the game with confidence, he left pitches in the middle of the plate, and Cal Poly took full advantage.

While the Aggies’ defense also made a few miscues—particularly with missed opportunities to get outs in key moments—it was the bullpen’s inability to finish the game that stood out the most. It was a reminder of how quickly the game of baseball can shift, especially in a high-leverage situation like the ninth inning. A lead that looked safe just minutes earlier turned into a nightmare for the Aggies.

The Emotional Fallout: How Texas A&M Will Respond

A loss like this one can have a significant impact on a team, especially one that had been so dominant early in the season. The Aggies will undoubtedly feel the sting of blowing a game they had in control, and questions will be raised about how to shore up the bullpen moving forward. The loss also serves as a reminder of how difficult it is to maintain perfection over the course of a long season, and it might be a blessing in disguise for Texas A&M in the long run.

Coach Jim Schlossnagle will likely focus on making sure his team doesn’t let this defeat define them. Losing a game like this can be frustrating, but it also offers an opportunity for growth. The Aggies can use this defeat as a wake-up call to reinforce their strengths, make adjustments, and avoid letting a loss spiral into further setbacks. The experience of this defeat will serve as valuable learning for the players, especially the bullpen, which will need to respond with more consistency moving forward.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Redemption

While Texas A&M’s first loss of 2025 is a tough one to swallow, the season is far from over. The Aggies still have plenty of time to regroup and show that they are capable of making a run toward the postseason. Their next series will be crucial in determining how they bounce back from this defeat.

In the coming weeks, the Aggies will need to focus on shoring up their bullpen, getting back to executing their pitches, and staying focused on playing their brand of baseball. The loss to Cal Poly serves as a humbling reminder that no game is won until the final out, and the Aggies will be hungry to prove they can close out games with the same intensity and precision they had at the start of the season.

As they look ahead to the rest of the season, one thing is certain: this team won’t let one loss define their journey. With a strong roster and a coaching staff dedicated to success, the Aggies are poised to bounce back and continue their push toward greatness in 2025.