April 12, 2006
Senior Rocky Spencer went 4-for-7 with three runs scored and six RBI to lead the 15th-ranked Texas A&M softball team (29-11, 8-2) to a two-game sweep (6-3, 16-8) of the Oklahoma State Cowgirls (16-21, 2-7) Wednesday at the Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater.
?This was good for our kids to come here and stay focused, commented A&M head coach Jo Evans. It?â„¢s been a really long day for us. Our kids did a great job; they stepped up and brought great energy to the table. As you can see, they really swung the bats well. I was very pleased with our approach at the plate today. We were really aggressive.?
OSU?â„¢s Lauren Kitchens hit her third home run of the season to put the Cowgirls up 2-0 in the bottom of the second in game one. Shianne Cruce scored on the home run after she reached base on a double to the right field wall.
In her next at bat, Cruce hit her second double of the day in the bottom of the third to drive in Kim Kaye for the Cowgirls?â„¢ third run of the game.
Ronda Smith earned her 17th RBI of the season, for A&M, on a single in the top of the fourth that brought in Holly Ridley from third.
Spencer drove in two runs in the fifth to give the Aggies the lead and eventual win.
Megan Gibson earned the complete game victory in game one improving to 14-4. She gave up three runs on eight hits. Gibson struckout seven of the 31 batters she faced, while walking three.
Jessica Hoppock dropped to 9-15 on the season, recording the loss in game one. She worked the complete game giving up six runs, four earned. She struck out two and walked three.
A&M started game two with a bang, scoring three runs in the top of the first and adding another in the second.
OSU countered in the second with two runs of its own, and then Kaye hit a two-run shot over the center field fence in the bottom of the third to tie the game at four.
A five-run fourth inning and a seven-run fifth, fueled by a Gibson grand-slam, sealed the win for the Aggies.
However OSU?â„¢s Ashleigh Tweed hit a grand-slam of her own to bring the score to 16-8 and leave the run-rule in effect.
A&M earned a season high nine free base on balls in the nightcap and a season high 14 hits were registered. The 16 runs were the most the Aggies have scored since an 18-1 stomping of Stephen F. Austin in 1996. Each of the Aggie starters that recorded an at bat got at least one hit on the day.
Amanda Scarborough (13-5) earned the win. She worked four complete giving up four runs on six hits. Scarborough had four strikeouts and one walk. Reliever, Lisa Gorzycki, was charged with four runs as well. She gave up the four runs on three hits. Gorzycki walked two and struckout two.
Hoppock got the nod again in game two but only lasted six batters and one out, being charged with all three of the Aggies?â„¢ first inning runs.
Kristina Giustozzi (3-1) recorded the loss, giving up 12 runs, seven earned, on 11 hits.
OSU relievers combined for four innings of work in game two, giving up 13 runs on 13 hits, while walking six and striking out one Aggie batter.
Spencer was named State Farm Player of the Day with her six RBI and three runs scored.
The Aggies will travel to Ames, Iowa for a two-game weekend series against the Cyclones. Live audio and stats for the games will be available at AggieAthletics.com.