COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M defeated Texas Southern 5-0 on Friday in the NCAA tournament behind seven shutout innings from starter Matt Kent and on the strength of a 2-run home run by Nick Banks.
Banks busted open a scoreless game in the fourth inning with a blast over Blue Bell Park’s right-field bullpen against Tigers starter Ryan Rios (6-2). Mitchell Nau led off the inning with a double, and scored on Banks’ sixth homer of the season.
The Aggies (46-11) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning when Banks slid for a catch in right field with two outs, squashing the Tigers’ best chance to score multiple runs.