August 27, 2004
In 2004 the Texas A&M softball team enjoyed its most successful season since it became the first sport of the Big 12 Conference in the spring of 1996. The Aggies finished the season with a 33-22 overall mark and a school-best 13-3 showing in the Big 12. A&M reeled off 11 conference wins in a row and dominated their opponents as they rolled into the final weekend of Big 12 play with a half-game lead on Nebraska.
The Aggies' record-setting success yielded records in the stands as four single-game attendance marks, as well as the single-season total, were set. Aggie fans showed up as never before as the team moved through the season. The eighth largest crowd in school history was on hand on the opening day of Big 12 play to watch the Aggies upset No. 9 Oklahoma, 1-0. 822 fans watched junior outfielder Jana James hit a shot off Sooner pitcher Kami Keiter to knock in the game-winning run in the bottom of the final frame.
The fourth and sixth largest crowds showed up to support the Ags in the Aggie Invitational's I and II against Boston University on February 21 and Oregon on February 28. Eight hundred and thirty two fans came in to see the Ags take down the Terriers before 866 fans showed up the following weekend to see them take on No. 17 Oregon.
To no ones surprise the largest crowd in the history of the Aggie Softball Complex, built in 1994, showed up when the Ags and Longhorns played on April 28. The Aggies broke the 1,000 mark for the first time ever when 1,470 fans filled the stadium to see the Ags dominate their archrivals with an 11-1 run-rule victory.
Overall, 15,232 fans showed up to watch the nationally-ranked Aggies play ball at the Aggie Softball Complex in the spring of 2004. In 20 home matches the Aggies averaged 761 fans per game.
Thanks to a magnificent conference season the Aggies swept up on postseason honors. At the Big 12 banquet in Oklahoma City, eighth-year head coach Jo Evans was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year after leading her team to their best conference finish. Senior hurler Jessica Kapchinski, the workhorse of the Aggie staff, was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and freshman speedster Sharonda McDonald was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
Along with Kapchinski and McDonald, four other Aggies were named to the 2004 All-Big 12 team. Shortstop Adrian Gregory joined Kapchinski and McDonald on the first team while James, Rocky Spencer and Nicole Robinson were named to the second team.
Five Aggies were honored as all-academic performers including Gregory and sophomores Jill Weynand and Lindsay Park on the first team while Robinson and Spencer were named to the 2004 Academic All-Big 12 second team.
The Aggies look forward to another exciting season in 2005. They return eight everyday starters, 13 letterwinners and welcome in four talented freshmen.
The Aggies play six home games and participate in one tournament in the fall as they prepare for the season-opener against North Texas on February 4 at 3 p.m. in College Station.
Click on the 2005 Schedule link for the complete fall and spring schedule.