March 16, 2006
The 18th-ranked Texas A&M softball team (17-8) handed No. 1 Arizona (24-2) their second loss of the season on a Jamie Hinshaw homerun Thursday in day two of the Judi Garman Classic.
?It?â„¢s nice to get a big win over a Pac-10 team,? commented A&M head coach Jo Evans. ?I think our kids are finally playing well and being consistent in their play defensively and offensively.?
Hishaw started off the bottom of the sixth by sending a shot deep over the right field fence, off Arizona starting pitcher Alicia Hollowell, to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead.
?Jamie had a few previous tough at bats,? Evans continued. ?But she got back in there and really settled in and she got right through the ball and that was huge. These are the kind of games where someone has to step up and hit the longball.?
The game marked only the third time all season that Arizona has trailed an opponent.
Arizona?â„¢s only threat to score came in the fifth when Janae Leles reached third on a sac bunt, but solid defense and pitching by Aggie shortstop Holly Ridley and starting pitcher Megan Gibson kept the Wildcats from advancing her.
Along with sound defense, Ridley had a big day at the plate going 2-for-3 with a double and a single.
?I?â„¢m excited for Holly,? Evans said. ?She?â„¢s playing with a lot of confidence. Defensively, she?â„¢s been outstanding, she?â„¢s made some great plays and in fact saved a run on that ball that was hit deep in the hole.?
Gibson (9-2) recorded the complete game shutout. She gave up five hits, walked two and struckout four.
?Gibson was outstanding today on the mound,? Evans concluded. ?She and Patti (Wunderlich) really called a good game and kept their hitters off balance.?
For Arizona, Hollowell (13-1) recorded her first loss of the season. She threw seven complete allowing three hits, one walk and eight strikeouts.
Hinshaw was named State Farm Player of the Day with the game-winning homerun in the top of the sixth.
A&M will face UNLV Friday at 11:00 a.m. in round three of pool play.
You can access live stats for all the Aggies?â„¢ tournament games by logging on to www.AggieAthletics.com.