February 23, 2005
Texas A&M sophomore Sharonda McDonald scored from third on an eighth-inning wild pitch to give the No. 16 Texas A&M softball team a 4-3 win over Sam Houston at the Aggie Softball Complex on Wednesday.
Freshman Jamie Hinshaw (Missouri City, Texas) was named the State Farm Player of the Game after going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Hinshaw's impact on the game wasn't just felt in the box score, she made a leaping catch on a line drive to end the sixth inning and her three bunt singles were backed up by a sacrifice fly to center that tied the game at three in the sixth.
"Good teams find a way to win and that is what we had to do tonight," commented A&M head coach Jo Evans. "We didn't execute as well as we should have but we showed a lot of heart and character to come back and win this game."
After a quick four innings, the Aggies put up two runs in the fifth when McDonald (Houston, Texas) and Hinshaw (Missouri City, Texas) scored after back-to-back bunt singles and stealing their way into scoring position. McDonald became the first run when she crossed the plate on a passed ball followed by Hinshaw who scored on an Amanda Scarborough (Magnolia, Texas) single through the right side.
After a three-run Bearkat home run in the top of the sixth, Hinshaw tied the game with her third sac fly of the year scoring Rocky Spencer (Katy, Texas) from third setting up the Aggies first extra-inning game of the season.
Freshman hurler Megan Gibson earned her third win of the season with a four strikeout complete game performance.
The Aggies 12-1 mark is the programs best since the 1991 team began the season 15-1.
The Aggies take the field again on Friday in the Palm Springs Desert Classic.