Thompson, Wansing help Texas A&M reach SEC final with 5-4 win over Arkansas

Jordan Thompson had three hits and Troy Wansing struck out the last two batters of the game with two runners on and 10th-seeded Texas A&M held on to defeat No. 2 Arkansas 5-4 on Saturday in the semifinals of the SEC baseball tournament.

The Aggies (36-24), the first double-seed to reach the SEC title game, will face the Florida-Vanderbilt winner in Sunday’s championship game. A&M battled through the loser’s bracket after falling to the Razorbacks 5-4 on Wednesday.

Trevor Werner and Austin Bost had RBI doubles and a pair of bases-loaded walks staked Texas A&M to a 4-0 lead through six innings.

It was 5-1 going into the ninth but John Bolton had a two-run double, bringing in Wansing. Tavian Josenberger singled and then Bolton scored on a error before Wansing closed the door for his first save.

Shane Sdao (3-1), the second of four pitchers for Texas A&M, got the win. Brady Tygart (2-1), who allowed Werner’s RBI double in the third inning after Hunter Haas singled and went to second on a walk, took the loss.

Caleb Cali had three hits and scored twice for the Razorbacks (41-16).