Texas A&M
Houston
No. 17 Softball Cages Cougars, 6-2
Mar 04, 2009 | Softball
March 4, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Senior Erin Glasco launched a three-run home run and sophomore Rhi Kliesing struck out 10 as the No. 17 Texas A&M softball team downed Houston, 6-2, at the Cougar Softball Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Aggies defeated Houston for the second time this season to improve to 14-8, while UH fell to 8-9. Kliesing, a product of Pearland, Texas, threw a complete game to pick up her 10th win. In addition to fanning 10, she gave up two runs on five hits and walked three.
"Rhi did a really great job, especially in the early innings," said head coach Jo Evans. "She figured out the umpire's strike zone and took advantage of it by painting the corners. You can see a presence about her and it was nice to see her out there leading our team."
A&M jumped out to a 3-0 lead off the bat of Glasco in the top of the first. From Johnston City, Ill., the Aggie catcher blasted a three-run home run off the scoreboard in right field. Junior Macie Morrow poked a single behind third base and senior Holly Ridley walked on four straight balls to put two runners on base for Glasco.
"Erin had a sweet swing on her home run," said Evans. "It was a great way to start the day and really put us in the game right off the bat."
Kliesing and the A&M defense retired the Cougars in order the first three innings, as the Aggie ace recorded four strikeouts.
In the fourth, the Aggies loaded the bases with just one out after a Cougar error and two line-drive singles to center by Kliesing and freshman Kelsea Orsak. Sophomore Natalie Villarreal then plated A&M's fourth run with a line-drive base hit to left. Morrow followed with a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Kliesing. Orsak tried for third on the play and slid in safely as the ball got away from third baseman Angela Spittler. Orsak jumped up and crossed the plate to put the Aggies up 6-0.
Three Cougar hits in the fifth, including RBI singles from Mary Tyler Dobson and Elaina Nordstom got Houston on the scoreboard, 6-2. A&M retired UH in order in the sixth and seventh innings to earn the win.
Orsak led the Aggies going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Kliesing Glasco, Morrow, Villarreal and freshman Taryn Broussard also collected a hit each.
A&M returns to the Aggie Softball Complex this weekend for the Aggie Invitational presented by the City of College Station. Kent State, Louisiana Tech, Stephen F. Austin and Utah travel to College Station for the tournament.
