February 18, 2004
The No. 15 Texas A&M softball team (5-5, 0-0) fell to the University of Houston (8-3, 0-0) in both games of a doubleheader at the Aggie Softball Field on Wednesday. Houston had a comeback win in the first game knocking off the Aggies 6-5. In the second game Houston put up three runs in the first and held on to win 3-0.
The first inning of the first game had plenty of runs as the Cougars scored one in the top of the first, but A&M quickly answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning.
Freshman Sharonda McDonald led off with an infield single to the shortstop and promptly stole second base, her ninth stolen base in nine attempts. McDonald advanced to third on an error by Houston right fielder Lindsay Durham. Durham dropped a line drive off the bat of Aggie shortstop Adrian Gregory. Gregory advanced to second on the play. Junior left fielder Jana James put the Aggies on top 3-0 with her first home run of the season. The Aggies put one more run across when sophomore catcher Kristin Gunter scored from third on a Morgan Hebert sacrifice fly to left field. Gunter singled up the middle, moved to second on a Lindsay Wilhelmson walk and advanced to third when right fielder Sherah Atkins was hit by a pitch.
Houston cut the lead to two in the third inning but the Aggies answered in the bottom of the inning with one run of their own. With one out and the bases empty, senior Sherah Atkins hit her second home run of the season giving A&M a 5-2 lead.
Houston cut the lead to two in the top of the fifth when Michelle Keith scored from third, beating out a throw from first baseman Lindsay Park. Keith took advantage of A&M as they had Cougar pinch runner Candis Turnbo in a rundown between first and second.
The Cougars pulled within one run in the sixth on a Jeanie Davis double down the left line. Davis' hit scored third baseman Kristen Glowacz from second after she singled and stole second.
Houston broke through and took the final lead of the game in the seventh inning on a two run home run off of senior Jessica Kapchinski who entered the game in relief for Wilhelmson. Leadoff hitter Kim Nesloney hit her first home run of the year over the left field fence scoring Jamie Adams who doubled to leadoff the inning.
Kapchinski took the loss and fell to 0-1 on the season after giving up two runs on two hits in one inning of work. Wilhelmson got the start and lasted six innings. She gave up four runs, three earned, on six hits while striking out 10 batters.
In the nightcap Houston jumped out to another first inning lead when they put two runs across on one walk and two hits. Cougar leadoff hitter Kim Nesloney walked then scored from first on a Brandi Clark double to left center field. Clark moved to third on a bunt single by Kristen Glowacz and then scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by catcher Arelis Ferreris.
Houston increased their lead to 3-0 in the fourth on a Lindsay Durham solo home run to left field. The home run was Durham's first of the season.
Cougar pitcher Jennie Johnson held the Aggies at bay as she threw a complete game in her first start of the season. Johnson allowed no runs on eight hits while striking out two batters.
The Aggies threatened to score in the bottom of the seventh when McDonald reached first on a fielder's choice; Joy Davis was thrown out at second base. McDonald kept the Aggies' chance to rally alive when she reached third on Gregory's single to right field, but the rally fell short when James lined out to left field to end the inning and the game.
The Aggies' next action will come this weekend as they host the Aggie Invitational I beginning on Friday. A&M plays at 2:30 and 4:45 on Friday and Saturday against Boston and Illinois. They close out the tournament on Sunday at noon against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Redshirt freshman Jill Weynand pitched a complete game for A&M in the loss. After starting 3-0 in her career Weynand dropped to 3-1 after allowing three runs, all earned, on eight hits while striking out five.
Live audio and stats for Friday's and Saturday's games will be available on AggieAthletics.com. Live stats only will be available for Sunday's game.