Was Texas A&M Inspired By Jimbo Fisher's Picture Posted In Dugout Before Beating Bama?

HOOVER, Alabama - Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher's presence was felt by the Aggies' baseball team as it defeated Alabama, 12-8, in the SEC Tournament Friday night at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

First-year Texas A&M baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle, who has become fairly close friends with Fisher, posted a picture of Fisher in the dugout with the words, "Our Coach! Gig 'Em," an A&M battlecry.

Fisher and Alabama football coach Nick Saban, whom Fisher coached under at LSU from 2000-04, have been fully engaged in a blood feud since Saban on May 18 at a speaking engagement in Birmingham accused Fisher of buying "every player" in the Aggies 2022 signing class via Name, Image and Likeness deals.

Main Event: Jimbo Fisher Vs. Nick Saban

Fisher responded by saying Saban used questionable recruiting methods throughout his career and called him narcissistic, among other juicy comments.

"For me coming to this conference, that's the attraction," said Schlossnagle, who previously coached TCU from 2004-21. "Whether it's mean-hearted or not, I'll let those guys decide. But for us, that's part of being in this league, man, is the rivalries. And it's exciting."

Fisher, who originally went to Clemson to play baseball before transferring to Salem College to play quarterback, and Schlossnagle hit it off as Fisher remains a baseball fan like he was at LSU.

"I'm not saying it doesn't happen in other conferences," Schlossnagle said. "It just doesn't happen as much, right?. And so, we threw it up there for our guys. It's really just to keep guys loose. If we need motivation to win in the SEC Tournament, then there's something wrong."

The Aggies piled up 13 hits against six Alabama pitchers for the win Friday. They scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take an 11-6 lead. Texas A&M (37-17), which is the No. 2 seed after winning the SEC West at 19-11, is scheduled to play at 5:30 p.m. eastern time Saturday against the winner of Saturday's first game between Florida and Alabama that started at 10:30 a.m.

Reliever Chris Cortez (6-3) got the win in relief. Had the game been closer, perhaps Fisher could've got the save.

"It was just something funny the guys laughed at," Schlossnagle said. "Meant no disrespect to Alabama or Coach Saban whatsoever. Respect him greatly. That was just something fun to do."

Every picture's worth 1,000 words, but to Texas A&M third baseman Trevor Werner, maybe it was worth two hits and three RBIs. He hit a three-run home run in the critical seventh inning and seemed to like the dugout decoration.

"We plan to keep it up there," he said.

SATURDAY ON SEC NETWORK, EASTERN TIMES, ALL ELIMINATION GAMES:

Game 13 – Florida eliminated Alabama, 11-6.

Game 14 – Kentucky vs. LSU, 30 minutes after completion of above game in elimination game.

Game 15 – Florida vs. Texas A&M, 5:30 p.m.

Game 16 – Game 14 winner vs. Tennessee winner, 30 minutes after completion of above game.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Game 17 – Championship Game, 3 p.m., ESPN2.

NOTE: Texas A&M and Tennessee were undefeated entering Saturday play, but each will be eliminated should either lose their first games Saturday, even though their opponents would have only one loss as A&M and Tennessee are in semifinal round, where tournament returns to single elimination. Championship game Sunday is also single elimination.