February 24, 2006
The No. 8 Texas A&M softball team (9-4) fell to an undefeated No. 1 Arizona, 12-0, in their second game of the Palm Springs Classic, Friday in Cathedral City.
Arizona (13-0) scored three runs in the top of the first, five in the second, two in the third and two in the fourth to beat the Aggies for the second time this season.
In the first inning, Autumn Champion and Chelsie Mesa were both hit by pitches and Kristie Fox was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Callista Balko lined a deep shot to rightfield to bring Champion in for the Wildcats first run. Jenae Leles drove a ball that fell at the base of the leftfield wall to bring two more runs across.
The Wildcats added five runs in the top of the second. Laine Roth hit an infield single and then Aggie starting pitcher, Megan Gibson walked three consecutive batters to allow Roth to cross the plate. Third baseman Jamie Hinshaw bobbled a sharply hit ball allowing run number five to come home for Arizona. Balko was walked scoring Lowe and then Leles was hit by a pitch scoring Champion. Fox, who reached on Hinshaw?â„¢s error, scored on a sharply hit ball by Samantha Banister.
With two runners on in the top of the third, the Aggies made a pitching change, bringing in Lisa Gorzycki to replace Gibson. Both runners scored on a double by Fox.
The Arizona lead was increased by two in the top of the fourth. Adrienne Acton singled to get things started but was putout at second on a fielder?â„¢s choice by Holly Ridley who tried to turn two but overthrew firstbase. Lowe advanced on Ridley?â„¢s throw and Champion walked. Chelsie Mesa singled to center and the ball got past Sharonda McDonald, allowing both Lowe and Champion to score.
The Aggies?â„¢ only hit of the game came in the bottom of the fourth on a single into rightfield by Gibson.
Gibson (5-1) was charged with 10 runs, nine earned in two and a third innings pitched. Gorzycki threw two and two thirds giving up two runs on three hits.
Saturday, the Aggies will face UNLV at 3:00 p.m. and No. 3 UCLA at 8:00 p.m. You can access live audio and stats for Saturday?â„¢s games by logging on to AggieAthletics.com.