Texas A&M
Florida Atlantic
No. 18 Aggies Take 5-2 Win Over FAU
Mar 13, 2009 | Softball
March 13, 2009
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The No. 18 Texas A&M softball team maintained an early lead to earn a 5-2 victory over Florida Atlantic on Friday night at the FAU Parents' Weekend Classic.
The Aggies (20-9) blanked Bethune-Cookman, 1-0, earlier in the day and moved to 2-0 at the tournament after taking a victory from the host Owls (15-13).
"I feel all in all that the components are coming together," said head coach Jo Evans. "We've got some players banged up and other players filling in and I'm pleased with the way we're playing right now."
After connecting for just three hits in their last game, the Aggies tallied three in the first inning against FAU and jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Natalie Villarreal and freshman Kelsea Orsak led off the game with back-to-back singles before sophomore Kelsey Spittler smacked a two-out, two-run double to center to score both runners.
In the second, sophomore Rhi Kliesing dropped a single into center and in her first collegiate start sophomore Andrea Tovar drew a two-out walk. Villarreal then hit an RBI single to shallow center field to plate Kliesing. The ball got past the FAU center fielder allowing a speedy Tovar to score from first and increase the Aggie lead to 4-0.
A&M kept the Owls off the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth when Blair Bodenmiller launched a two-run homer to left center to cut the Aggie lead in half, 4-2.
The next inning, Bodenmiller stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, but Kliesing got the best of her marking her fourth strikeout of the game.
"Kliesing did a really nice job tonight," said Evans. "Rhi was stingy and didn't give her (Bodenmiller) anything to hit. It was really nice to see Rhi fight and get out of that."
Kliesing led off the sixth with a walk and advanced to third after right-side groundouts by freshman Taryn Broussard and Tovar. Villarreal then ripped an RBI single up the middle to tack on a run for a 5-2 A&M advantage.
Kliesing picked up her 13th win in the circle after giving up two runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out five.
In her second game back from injury, Villarreal led the team going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Spittler added a double and two RBIs, while Kliesing contributed a hit and scored two runs.
"It's nice to see our team stepping up in the first inning and getting some big hits and how great to have Natalie back in the lineup in the leadoff spot," said Evans. "She looked really good tonight."
The Aggies continue play at the FAU Parents' Weekend Classic tomorrow with games against Liberty at noon and Purdue at 3 p.m. Live stats and a live broadcast of Saturday's contests are available on AggieAthletics.com. There will be no broadcast on Sports Radio 1150 The Zone.
