February 09, 2006
Two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, Jo Evans, and the defending Big 12 Champion, Texas A&M softball team will begin its 2006 season Friday at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The Aggies?â„¢ first game of five is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. against the No. 17 Fresno State Bulldogs at the Tempe Sports Complex.
?Our team has worked very hard during the past five months to prepare for the upcoming season,? commented A&M head coach Jo Evans. ?We have the most challenging schedule in my ten years at A&M and our players will be put to the test. I have no doubt our athletes will rise to the challenge and learn a great deal in the coming months and ultimately enjoy a very successful season.?
The Bulldogs hold a 10-4 lead in the all-time series against A&M. The last time the two teams met was in Feb. of 2004 in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament held in Tempe. The Aggies lost the game 0-2.
After the game against Fresno State, A&M will face-off against the University of Nevada- Reno Wolf Pack, first pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. The Wolf Pack was the only Western Athletic Conference team to advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Prior to this meeting the two teams have battled only once. The Aggies earned the win (10-2) in April of 1984 under the direction of then head coach Bob Brock in the Utah Tournament in Salt Lake City.
A&M kicks-off play at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday against the Orange of Syracuse, who were picked to finish 5th in the Big East. The Aggies and Orange last met in the Blue and Gold Classic held in Miami, Fla. in 2003. A&M recorded the victory 9-5.
In Saturday?â„¢s second game, the Aggies will face the No. 5 Arizona Wildcats, who are looking to capture their fourth consecutive Pac-10 Championship. The Wildcats have a 19-4 advantage in the all-time series, handed the Aggies a 1-8 loss in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament in 2004.
The final game of the weekend for A&M will be Sunday at 10:00 a.m. against the Beavers of No. 12 Oregon State. In the five meetings between the two teams, the Aggies have won four, including the last meeting in 2002 at the NFCA Lead-Off Classic held in Columbus, Ga (7-6).
The 6th-ranked A&M softball team returns 11 letterwinners, five position starters and all three starting pitchers from last year?â„¢s squad. Highlighting the returnees are All-Americans Megan Gibson and Amanda Scarborough and All-Big 12 selections Jamie Hinshaw, Sharonda McDonald, Lindsay Park and Rocky Spencer.
To replace the holes left by last year?â„¢s seniors, the Aggies will look to freshman shortstop Holly Ridley, outfielder Ronda Smith and catcher Patti Wunderlich.
The Kajikawa Classic is a three-day 41-game softball tournament comprised of 16 teams from around the country.
You can access live audio and stats for this weekend?â„¢s games by logging on to AggieAthletics.com. To purchase tickets for Aggie home games, contact the Texas A&M Athletic Ticket Office at (979) 845-2311 or (888) 99-Aggie.