February 23, 2003
The No. 19 Texas A&M softball team won its second tournament in as many weekends as they took home the title of the St. Joseph's Aggie Invitational II softball tournament this weekend. The Aggies were 4-0 on the weekend as they beat Wichita State and Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday and took two from Prairie View A&M on Sunday. The Aggies won the St. Joseph's Aggie Invitational I last weekend with a record of 3-1.
It was all offense for the Aggies today as they recorded 25 runs on 26 hits to sweep the Panthers at the Aggie Softball Complex. A&M had five home runs on the day as Selena Collins(6) and Crystal Martin(4) went long twice and Kristin Gunter(3) took one out of the park. The second four-bagger by Collins left her just one shy of the A&M all-time career mark. Collins has 33 round-trippers in her career and trails Liz Mizera (1985-'88) who has 34. The Aggies run-ruled Prairie View in both games as they were ahead by at least eight runs after five innings of play. This was the first time the schools have ever met on the softball field and with the wins the Aggies improved to 12-6 on the season.
Senior Lindsey Rippee got the start and the win in both games as she moved to 4-0 on the year. Rippee struck out four and allowed only two runs on the day as she held the Panthers to six hits in 10 innings of work. The right-hander from Kerrville had a no-hitter going in the second game until Kimberly Hayden came up in the bottom of the fourth inning and singled up the middle. The hit was the only one that Rippee would concede in the game.
No. 19 Texas A&M next takes the field on Wednesday at 5 p.m. when they host No. 15 Michigan. The Wolverines started the year ranked number four as they are coming off of a trip to the Women's College World Series. The Aggies and Wolverines are tied 3-3 in all-time series play.
Sunday's Tournament Results
10:00 Wichita State defeated Southeastern Louisiana 10-1 (5 innings)
12:15 Wichita State defeated Southeastern Louisiana 3-2 (8 innings)