Texas A&M
Utah
No. 17 Aggies Blank Utah, 8-0
Mar 06, 2009 | Softball
March 6, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Sophomore Rhi Kliesing threw a one-hitter and freshman Taryn Broussard blasted a three-run home run to lead the No. 17 Texas A&M softball team to an 8-0 run rule of Utah on Friday evening at the Aggie Invitational presented by the City of College Station.
Broussard's second round-tripper of the season came as part of a seven-run fifth inning in which Kliesing ripped a two-run double off the left field wall. In front of a crowd of 1,204, the Aggies (14-8) tallied 11 hits and Kliesing earned her fifth straight win in the circle. The Utes fell to 9-13.
"Taryn put the ball in and out of play in a hurry and it was nice to see her get that big hit," said head coach Jo Evans. "Rhi was right on and was hitting her spots. She was in total control and looked really good."
In the first three frames, Kliesing fanned five Utes and retired the team in order twice. A&M put runners on base in each inning. Junior Macie Morrow drew a walk and junior Alex Reynolds, sophomore Kelsey Spittler and freshman Kelsea Orsak each singled.
Four Aggie hits broke open a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth. Reynolds, Kliesing and junior Bailey Schroeder singled to load the bases before Orsak hit a soft line drive to left field to score Reynolds and get A&M out to a 1-0 lead.
The Aggies' chased off Joni Cook, the Utes' starting pitcher, in the fifth after Kliesing's two-bagger and Broussard's bomb - A&M's ninth and 10th hits of the game. Schroeder immediately rattled relief pitcher Lindsey Palmer with a single to left center before Orsak was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a passed ball and a deep sacrifice fly by Morrow was dropped by the Utes' center fielder allowing both Schroeder and Orsak to cross the plate for the 8-0 run rule. The Utah defense committed three errors in the inning.
Orsak and Reynolds led the offense going 2-for-2, while Kliesing and Schroeder were 2-for-3.
Kliesing gave up just one hit, did not allow a walk and struck out six. The Utes never moved a runner into scoring position.
The Aggie Invitational continues all weekend at the Aggie Softball Complex. A&M steps on the diamond Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against Kent State and follows with Utah at 5:15 p.m.
