Texas A&M’s NCAA Hopes Dimmed as Star Outfielder Jace LaViolette Suffers Broken Hand in SEC Tournament

Texas A&M’s NCAA Hopes Dimmed as Star Outfielder Jace LaViolette Suffers Broken Hand in SEC Tournament

 

Texas A&M’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Auburn in the opening round of the SEC Baseball Tournament was supposed to be a defining moment in their effort to salvage a late-season slump and secure a place in the NCAA Tournament. But even amid the celebration at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, there was a distinct cloud of uncertainty and concern that hovered over the Aggies’ dugout. That concern centered around Jace LaViolette, the team’s leading slugger, top MLB Draft prospect, and emotional cornerstone—who suffered a broken left hand after being hit by a pitch during the fifth inning of the game.

 

LaViolette’s injury could not have come at a worse time. Texas A&M entered the postseason having endured a steep decline in form that saw them slip from a preseason top-five ranking to the 14th seed in the SEC Tournament. They had lost eight of their final nine regular-season games, including being swept by Missouri in a shock late-season series. That tailspin had the Aggies teetering dangerously on the NCAA bubble, and their performance in the SEC Tournament was seen as potentially decisive in earning an at-large bid. LaViolette, who had been a steady and dominant force all season, was expected to be at the heart of any postseason success.

 

Instead, the Aggies will now have to continue without their best player. In the fifth inning, LaViolette took a fastball to his left hand and immediately dropped to the ground in pain. Trainers rushed to examine him, and although he initially stayed in the game, it became quickly evident that he couldn’t continue. After leaving the field, he was later seen in the dugout with his left hand and two fingers heavily taped in a splint, confirming suspicions of a serious injury. Coach Mike Earley announced after the game that LaViolette had suffered a break in the hand, and though additional details regarding the timeline of recovery were not immediately provided, the implications were clear: the Aggies would be moving forward in the tournament—and potentially into the NCAA postseason—without their premier power hitter.

 

LaViolette’s absence is seismic. The junior from Katy, Texas, has been a consistent offensive weapon for the Aggies, leading the team with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs. A true five-tool player, he was not only a middle-of-the-order bat but also a reliable defensive presence in the outfield and a team leader in the clubhouse. Scouts have long viewed him as a projected top-10 selection in the 2025 MLB Draft, and his stock had only improved this season as he demonstrated both increased discipline at the plate and better range in the field. For a team looking to punch its ticket to Omaha, the loss of a player like LaViolette is devastating.

 

Despite the emotional blow, Texas A&M still managed to hold on for the win against Auburn, thanks largely to a three-run homer by sophomore Kaeden Kent, which proved to be the only scoring the Aggies would need. On the mound, lefty starter Justin Lamkin delivered a gritty performance, and the bullpen trio of Weston Moss, Kaiden Wilson, and Clayton Freshcorn preserved the narrow lead under pressure. The victory not only provided a morale boost but also gave the selection committee a reason to look more favorably on the Aggies’ postseason resume. But the team now faces a daunting task: advancing through the rest of the SEC Tournament—and possibly beyond—without their most dangerous hitter.

 

Coach Earley remained cautiously optimistic in his postgame remarks, acknowledging the magnitude of LaViolette’s loss while praising the team’s resilience and depth. “Obviously Jace brings a ton to the table, both on and off the field,” Earley said. “But our guys have great chemistry, and they’re playing for each other. That’s what matters right now.” When pressed about whether LaViolette might be able to return in some limited capacity—perhaps as a pinch-runner or morale booster—Earley did not close the door entirely, but cautioned that such a scenario would be unlikely without further evaluation.

 

The next challenge for the Aggies is a showdown with LSU in the quarterfinals—a matchup that will serve as both a measuring stick and a high-stakes audition for NCAA consideration. LSU, with its power-heavy offense and postseason pedigree, will test the Aggies’ pitching depth and the resilience of a lineup now missing its centerpiece. How A&M responds without LaViolette will go a long way in determining whether their season ends in Hoover or continues into regional play.

 

For LaViolette, the injury throws a wrench into what was shaping up to be a storybook season. While there’s little doubt that he’ll still hear his name called early in the MLB Draft, the injury introduces uncertainty into his immediate baseball future and robs him—and the fans—of a potentially iconic postseason run. For now, he’ll be relegated to a leadership role from the dugout, supporting his teammates in what may be the final chapter of his college career.

 

As Texas A&M presses forward, they do so with heavy hearts but firm resolve. The road ahead is steep, but if the Aggies can channel the adversity of losing their star into a collective effort, there’s still a chance to salvage something memorable from a season that has already delivered its share of twists and heartbreak. But make no mistake—Jace LaViolette’s injury is a gut punch, and how the Aggies respond in the coming days will define the legacy of this year’s team.