Texas A&M
Rutgers
No. 18 Aggies Knock Off Knights, 9-4
Mar 15, 2009 | Softball
March 15, 2009
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Texas A&M freshman Rebecca Arbino struck out nine in another near-flawless performance in the circle to lead the No. 18 Aggies to a 9-4 win against Rutgers in their final game of the FAU Parents' Weekend Classic.
A&M (22-10) went 4-1 to win the tournament title, while Arbino earned tournament MVP honors after going 3-0 and not allowing a run all weekend.
In six and one-thirds innings, Arbino allowed just two hits and walked none while matching her career-high (9) strike outs. Arbino has not allowed a run in her last five starts.
A&M jumped out quickly against Rutgers putting up a six-spot in the bottom of the first. RBI singles from senior Erin Glasco, junior Alex Reynolds and sophomore Kelsey Spittler and sophomore Rhiannon Kliesing's two-run triple off the right field fence highlighted the inning. The three-bagger was the first of Kliesing's career. Sophomore Natalie Villarreal led off with a single and sophomore Kara Rau added an RBI on a groundout as the Aggies batted through the lineup.
A&M added two runs in the second with RBIs on a fielder's choice by Reynolds and a single through the right side by Spittler. Freshman Holly Ridley scored in the inning after each reached on base hits.
Ridley led off the fourth with a double to left center and the Aggies proceeded to load the bases with a walk from Glasco and an infield single from Reynolds. Spittler then recorded her third RBI single to increase the Aggie lead to 9-0.
In the top of the fifth, Rutgers plated four runs on four hits including an RBI double by Sarah Kalka.
The Aggies outhit the Scarlet Knights, 12-6. Spittler led the team going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Ridley was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and Reynolds added two hits and two RBIs.
Senior Savana Lloyd saw time in the circle in the fifth. Four runs and four hits were charged to the left-handed pitcher.
A&M kicks off Big 12 play this weekend hosting Nebraska at the Aggie Softball Complex on Saturday and 2 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
