February 10, 2007
Megan Gibson went 4-for-5 with three runs scored to help the 13th-ranked Texas A&M softball team (4-0) to two more victories on day two of the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. A&M beat No. 3 UCLA (1-2) 5-4 and Utah (0-2-1)10-3.
?I thought our kids played really well today,? commented A&M head coach Jo Evans. ?I like the way we came out with a lot of intensity. Our defense was solid and we again got good pitching from Amanda Scarborough and Gibson.?
The Aggies struck early against UCLA plating three runs on two, two-out hits by Jamie Hinshaw and Amanda Scarborough, a walk by Megan Gibson and a fielding error by Bruin center fielder, Kaila Shull on a hard hit liner by Ronda Smith.
In the bottom of the second, Jodie Legaspi led the inning off with a solo shot to dead center, the only earned run of the game for the Bruins.
In her second at-bat, Smith earned yet another free pass, this time on a throwing error by UCLA?â„¢s pitcher Angelica Selden. The throw sailed over the first baseman?â„¢s head allowing Gibson to come all the way from first to score and push A&M up 4-1.
UCLA came back in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game four-all on a throwing error by Hinshaw, a walk and then two singles.
Aggie left fielder Jami Lobpries would help the Aggies regain the lead with a single between short and third in the fourth. Joy Davis reached after being hit by a pitch; she stole second and advanced to third on a ground-out by Sharonda McDonald. Davis?â„¢ run would prove to be the game-winner.
A&M came out with an early lead again in the nightcap against Utah, scoring four runs in the first inning, adding another in the second.
McDonald laid down a bunt single to lead off the game. Quickly thereafter she stole second. McDonald advanced to third on a sharply hit grounder by Hinshaw. The Utes?â„¢ third baseman Hailey Davenport made a poor throw allowing Scarborough to reach and McDonald to score. Gibson then sent a rope into center field, advancing Scarborough. Lobpries reached on a fielder?â„¢s choice and moved on to second on another Utah throwing error; Scarborough scored. Yet another Utes?â„¢ throwing error by Davenport allowed Smith to reach and Gibson to take home. Smith took-off towards second; catcher, Andrea Hoffman, threw down allowing Lobpries to come home for the double steal.
In the second inning McDonald reached on a fielding error by Meghan Crouse. McDonald took second on a ground-out by Macie Morrow. Utah shortstop Kristi Keller booted the ball allowing Hinshaw to reach and McDonald to come around for the Aggies?â„¢ fifth run of the game.
Utah came within two runs in the bottom of the third when Kara Foster blasted a three-run home run over the left-center field fence. Diana Phillips and Crouse each scored on the shot after reaching first on back-to-back infield singles.
The Aggies increased their lead again in the fourth, again capitalizing on the Utes?â„¢ errors. Davis ripped a shot over the shortstop into left field to reach. She stole second on the next pitch and scored on a throwing error by Davenport as McDonald cruised into second. McDonald went on to steal third and scored on a fielder?â„¢s choice throw home that got passed catcher Andrea Hoffman, increasing A&M?â„¢s lead 7-3.
Errors plagued Utah again as the Aggies added two runs in the sixth with McDonald reaching on a base-on-balls, stealing second and eventually scoring off a fielding error by Crouse that allowed Hinshaw to reach. Hinshaw stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and stole home as Gibson stole second.
A&M added one more insurance run in the seventh off a double by freshman pinch-hitter Mandy Gegen down the left field line that drove home pinch-runner Kristine Test. A&M held the 10-3 lead the rest of the game.
?What I was really please with was how aggressive we were today,? Evans said. ?We put a lot of pressure on both defenses. I think it made a big difference; it put us at a huge advantage. I also like that we pretty much got everybody in the game. It was nice to see Emily Shadow get in an inning of work. Our freshmen were prepared when they went out there. They did a nice job, we got some hits, some walks. I?â„¢m just really pleased with our overall play, especially the confidence we are playing with.?
The Aggies conclude the Kajikawa Classic Sunday at 12 p.m. against No. 1 Arizona. Fans can listen to tomorrow?â„¢s game against the Wildcats locally in Bryan/College Station on Sports Radio 1150 The Zone or at aggieathletics.com. Those attending the tournament can listen to the action inside the Tempe Sports Complex on or around 89.9 FM.