May 01, 2004
Sophomore Rocky Spencer hit a two-run single in the seventh that pushed the 23-ranked Aggies to extra-innings with No. 13 Nebraska before falling, 5-4, in eight innings. Spencer took the 2-2 pitch right over pitcher Peaches James' head, scoring Morgan Hebert from third and Sharonda McDonald from second, tying the game at four. After relief-pitcher Jill Weynand retired the Huskers in the seventh, Texas A&M and Nebraska went to extra-innings for the fourth time in their last five meetings.
In the top of the eighth, shortstop Adrian Gregory drove James' first pitch over the left fielders head for a double but was called out after coming off the bag on the throw in to second.
In the bottom of the inning, the Huskers loaded the bases with no outs setting the table for left fielder Liz Lawhorn's single to center that scored the game-winning run.
"It was a tough one to lose," stated head coach Jo Evans. "I sure like our fight though. Obviously we didn't play defense well enough to win the game. We really made it hard on ourselves. We gave up way too many unearned runs."
Nebraska capitalized on Aggie miscues as four of their five runs were unearned due to six Aggie errors.
"It's just tough to beat a good team when you do that," Evans continued. "You are not going to win championships like that. I thought Jess (Kapchinski) came out and threw great today. She pitched well enough for us to win this game."
Kapchinski got the start, and did not figure in the decision, as she threw five innings allowing three hits and four runs, no earned, while striking out six.
Red-shirt freshman Jill Weynand (7-6) took the loss after throwing two innings in relief and allowing one earned run on four hits.
The Aggies scored the first run of the game in the first inning when McDonald scored from first on a two-error play by Nebraska. The Huskers made a fielding error at first on Spencer's sac bunt, allowing McDonald to move to third, and then threw the ball into the left field foul territory while attempting to throw her out at third.
Nebraska answered in the bottom of the inning with a single run and then added two in the fourth and one more in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead.
Down 4-1 going in to the seventh, pinch runner Lisa Gorzycki brought the Aggies within one on pinch-hitter Laura Durham's double down the left field line. Gorzycki was running for designated player Lindsay Wilhelmson after she earned a walk to lead off the inning. Hebert re-entered to run for Durham at second and moved to third on a McDonald single. McDonald then stole second, setting the table for Spencer to tie the game.
"I am proud of our kids," Evans said. "I think Nebraska leaves here knowing that we can hit the ball, that there is a lot of fight in us and that we don't give up. "I believe that we will play great defense tomorrow."
With the loss, the Aggies fall to 31-17 overall and 13-2 in Big 12 play and trail Nebraska (37-13, 13-1) by half a game.
Tomorrow's noon finale will be broadcast live on Sports Radio 1150 "The Zone" (KZNE-AM) beginning approximately 15 minutes prior to first pitch.
Live audio and stats will also be available on AggieAthletics.com.