Texas A&M
Louisiana-Monroe
No. 21 A&M Hits 10 Home Runs in Second Day of Aggie Classic
Feb 20, 2010 | Softball
Feb. 20, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The No. 21 Texas A&M softball team hit 10 home runs en route to a 13-4 run rule of Mississippi State and a 6-0 shutout of ULM on Saturday evening in day two of the Aggie Classic.
In front of 1,553 fans at the Aggie Softball Complex, A&M launched six home runs against the Bulldogs and started the game with three-consecutive long balls in the first inning. Freshman Rhi Kliesing each smacked three homers on the day, including two in one innings from Dumezich.
The Aggies (9-1) improved their record to 4-0 at home, while the Bulldogs (6-2) suffered their second loss at the hands of A&M, and the Warhawks dropped to 3-5.
"We came out here this weekend to make a statement," said head coach Jo Evans. "We talked a lot about playing at home, what that means, and getting the crowd in to the game. I told the team we needed to start out the very first game, the first day and entertain the crowd and give them a reason to come back. They've done that and it's been really nice to see. The crowd has been terrific!
"We really hit the ball well today. It was just an impressive showing by our kids at the plate. They put on a show. The way we started the first game really set the tone for the day. I don't think I've ever been a part of back-to-back-to-back home runs in the first inning like that."
To start the day against Mississippi State, the Aggies' two, three and four batters, junior Kelsey Spittler, freshman Meagan May and Kliesing each went yard to different parts of the field in the top of the first.
In the bottom of the inning, Jessie Spain took one run back with a solo homer to left field.
Kliesing helped her own cause in the top of the third and launched her second home run of the day, a two-run shot to left center, to make the score 5-1.
The Bulldogs answered and brought the game within one run in the bottom of the frame. Erin Nesbit led off with a solo shot before Jessie Spain's two-run double.
The Aggies, however, chased off three MSU pitchers and used an eight-run fourth inning to put the game out of reach. Dumezich hit two home runs in the frame, leading off with a solo shot and following with a three-run homer. May laced a bases-clearing double and Kleising scored pinch runner Andrea Tovar with a double.
Kliesing (5-0) picked up the win for A&M, going all five innings and allowing four runs on five hits, no walks and striking out eight.
Lindsey Dunlap (2-1) suffered the loss after three innings of work. She gave up five runs, four hits, two walks and fanned four.
In game two, May started the scoring with a solo homer to right center in the first. Dumezich's third homer of the day followed in the second inning - it was a two-run shot. Freshman Sydney Shannon hit her second four-bagger of the season in the next at-bat for back-to-back long balls in the frame.
After a scoreless third frame, Texas A&M added runs in the next two innings. Spittler's two-out, RBI single up the middle scored sophomore Kelsea Orsak in the fourth, and Kliesing led off the next inning with her third bomb of the day, this one over the center field wall.
Sophomore pitcher Rebecca Arbino (4-1) threw a one-hit shutout for the win in the circle. She tossed a perfect game through four and two-thirds innings before giving up a base hit. The Clovis, Calif., native walked one, struck out three and forced 14 groundball putouts.
"Becca looked really comfortable," said Evans. "That's the most comfortable I've seen her this season and she was just in total command. It starts in the circle and our pitchers give our hitters a chance to be comfortable and our defense a chance to make plays. It also gives us a chance to get some kids off the bench to get some time.
"Our pitchers are giving us an opportunity to win and our players are just attacking the ball. It's good to see that ball flying off the bat and it's just due to a lot of hard work. The team is coming in and asking for extra help and it's exciting to see that paying off."
Dumezich finished the day going 4-for-5 with three home runs, six RBIs and three runs. Kliesing went 4-for-6 with a double, three homers, five RBIs and four runs scored.
The Aggies play their final game of the Aggie Classic tomorrow at 12:15 p.m. against ULM. An autograph session with the players will immediately follow.
