March 25, 2005
Texas A&M outfielder Jana James drove in two runs as the No. 7 Aggie softball team (30-2, 2-0) defeated No. 18 Nebraska, (20-10, 0-1), 4-2 , in front of 1,097 fans at the Aggie Softball Complex.
James was named the State Farm Player of the Game after a 2-for-3, two-RBI performance that included robbing a three-run home run in the first to end the inning.
The Aggies continued their hot start as they improved to a school-best 30-2 start while extending their win streak to 14-games.
"This was another great effort by our team tonight," commented A&M head coach Jo Evans. "We continue to come ready to play with confidence and take care of business. This is a good win for us because Nebraska is the defending conference champion and they are perennially a great team."
Amanda Scarborough (Magnolia, Texas) improved to 17-0 on the season as she threw a complete game three-hitter and did not allow an earned run for the 37th consecutive inning.
James followed her spectacular first-inning defense with an RBI double in the fourth scoring Jamie Hinshaw (Missouri City, Texas) after she reached on an infield single. In the next at-bat, Megan Gibson (Spring, Texas) made it 2-0 with a single up the middle scoring James from third.
James continued her hot day with an RBI single in the fifth plating Sharonda McDonald (Houston, Texas) from second and giving the Aggies a 3-0 lead. With two outs, Scarborough put the Aggies up by four with a double to left center scoring James.
Nebraska cut the lead to two with two unearned runs in the sixth on one hit and three errors.
Scarborough shut down Nebraska's most dangerous hitter as she broke up Anne Steffan's 26-game hitting streak holding her to two groundouts and two strikeouts. Steffan entered the game with a .520 average.
Friday's crowd of 1,097 was the second largest crowd in A&M softball history. The record of 1,470 was set last season against Texas.
With the win, Texas A&M improved to 24-20 all time against Nebraska.
The Aggies continue conference play on Saturday when they host No. 18 Nebraska at the Aggie Softball Complex at noon. Following the game, Aggie Athletic Promotions will host an on-the-field Easter Egg for all the kids in attendance.
Live stats and audio of Saturday's game will be available, free of charge, on AggieAthletics.com. Fans attending the games can listen live by tuning into 89.9 FM.