Kentucky, Texas A&M have been two of the best in the SEC in recent years

Both the Wildcats and Aggies are trying to continue making history in Game 8 of the Men's College World Series.

Photo by Chet White of UK Athletics

Two of the best programs in the SEC over the past three seasons will meet in Omaha on Monday night. Kentucky and Texas A&M pulled off one-run wins during their opening games in the Men’s College World Series, setting up an opportunity for the winner of Game 8 to seize control of Bracket 2.

In its first-ever game in Omaha, Kentucky scored a 5-4 extra-innings win over North Carolina State when third baseman Mitch Daly hit a hanging breaking ball into the Wildcats’ bullpen in left field. Texas A&M knocked off red-hot Florida 3-2, in part because right fielder Jace LaViolette robbed what would’ve been a go-ahead two-run home run for the Gators in the 9th inning.

Kentucky played Texas A&M in the regular season in 2022 and 2023 — the Aggies won both series two games to one — but the teams have not yet played this season.

“Just a great, really well-coached team,” Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle said of Kentucky. “Obviously, Coach of the Year in the league. They can do everything: Hit the ball out of the ballpark, run, bunt, put a lot of pressure on you, throw strikes and play defense. But we're not bad. We'll show up. I've watched (Kentucky) play on television, and they have an awesome synergy about them, too. They’re playing with a lot of confidence like us. I think we're playing with a lot of confidence and we have some neat character in our club, too.”