February 09, 2004
The No. 18 Aggie softball (3-0, 0-0) team hosts the University of Houston (3-2, 0-0) in a two-game set at the Aggie Softball Field on Wednesday. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. with the second game to follow approximately thirty minutes after the conclusion of the first game. A&M is coming off of two victories over Stephen F. Austin on Sunday while Houston dropped a 1-0 decision to No. 11 Texas on Sunday.
The Aggies' pitching has been solid since opening day and the A&M bats are starting to heat up. Through three games A&M has four players batting .400 or better and two of those, outfielders Sherah Atkins (Clute, Texas) and Rocky Spencer (Katy, Texas), are hitting .667. Morgan Hebert (Peoria, Arizona) is batting an even .400 and Kristen Gunter (Brenham, Texas) is hitting at a .429 clip. In two games Atkins has set the pace offensively with four RBI and 11 total bases, including two triples and a grand slam. Atkins' grand slam was the deciding factor in A&M's win over UNT.
In the circle all three Aggie pitchers that have started have gone the distance in their respective games. Redshirt freshman Jill Weynand (Frisco, Texas) got the nod on opening day and carried a no-hitter through four innings of work. Senior Lindsay Wilhelmson (North Richland Hills, Texas) started the first game against SFA and earned her first victory of the season after striking out eight batters and allowing no runs on four hits without giving up a walk. Freshman right-hander Christina Smith (Katy, Texas) started her first collegiate game in the night-cap against SFA and earned her first victory with a two-hit performance. Smith struck out three, did not give up a walk and did not allow a base runner past second base.
Jo Evans (Utah '83) is in her eighth season as the Aggie head coach and has a 568-362-2 overall record as a head coach. Her record since coming to A&M in 1997 is 255-158-2.
Houston is led by junior infielder Michelle Keith (Gainesville, Florida) who is hitting .583 with three doubles, one home run, two RBI and three runs scored. In the circle senior Jenny Johnson (Huntsville, Alabama) leads the way for the Cougars. In 15.2 innings of work Johnson has not given up an earned run and has struck out ten batters.
Kyla Holas (SW Louisiana '94) is in her third season as the head coach at Houston. She owns a 57-58 overall mark for her career.
Fans can park for free for Wednesday's games in the Olsen Field parking lots (PA 63) located directly across the street from the Aggie Softball Field.
Live audio will be available for the first game only on AggieAthletics.com. Live stats will be available for both games.