Texas A&M
Syracuse
Softball Splits on Day Two of Kajikawa Classic
Feb 11, 2006 | Softball
February 11, 2006
The defending Big 12 Champion, Texas A&M softball team, beat Syracuse (2-1) before falling to No. 5 Arizona (8-0) on Saturday at the Tempe Sports Complex.
"This has been a good learning day for us," commented A&M head coach Jo Evans. "We had to fight for a win against a good Syracuse team. I was really proud of our kids for showing a lot of hustle and determination in that game."
Against Syracuse (0-3-0), the Aggies (3-1-0) put a run up early in the first as Sharonda McDonald dropped a blooper just over the shortstop's head and then sophomore third baseman Jamie Hinshaw drilled the ball into deep leftfield for a double; McDonald scored from first.
Starting pitcher, Megan Gibson had a shutout going until the top of the sixth when Chanel Roehner scored off a single up the middle by Cassie Morales.
In the bottom of the sixth, A&M had a chance to take the lead as Holly Ridley singled and was moved to second on a Ronda Smith sacrifice bunt. Rocky Spencer then doubled to move Ridley to third. However the Aggie rally proved fruitless as pinch-hitter Jami Lobpries flied out to the shortstop and Joy Davis struckout swinging.
McDonald stepped up big in the bottom of the seventh, sending a shot over the centerfielder's head for a stand-up double and Gibson drove her in for the win on an infield single to the shortstop.
Gibson recorded the complete game victory giving up seven hits and one earned run, while striking out five Syracuse batters. She improved to 2-0 on the season.
Against a very tough Wildcat team (4-0-0), in the second game of the day, the Aggies got out to a very rocky start. Sophomore Amanda Scarborough was in the circle for A&M and gave up seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the first inning.
Lisa Gorzycki entered the game in the bottom of the second to relieve Scarborough who stayed in the lineup to hit in the three-hole. The game ended in the bottom of the fifth on a homerun by Samantha Banister.
Scarborough was given the lost; evening her record to 1-1 on the season.
Arizona's Alicia Hollowell was one batter shy of pitching a perfect game. The only Aggie to reach first was Ridley who was hit by a pitch in the left side during the second inning.
"Arizona came into this game very well prepared and aggressive," Evans said. "I think we showed that we are a young team. They jumped to an early lead and we were never able to get into a rhythm. I have to give Alicia (Hollowell) all the credit. She pitched a great game. We play them two more times within the next month and I think we will show a marked improvement."
Gorzycki was named State Farm Player of the Day after giving up only two hits and one run in three innings of relief work.
The Aggies will conclude tournament play on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. against No. 12 Oregon State. The game will once again be played at the Tempe Sports Complex.
You can access live audio and stats for the game against Oregon State by logging on to AggieAthletics.com.
