Texas A&M
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Kansas
Dumezich and Kliesing Lead Aggies to First Big 12 Sweep
Mar 28, 2010 | Softball
March 28, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M freshman Rhi Kliesing smacked her first career grand slam to end the game 10-1 in another six-inning run rule of Kansas on Sunday afternoon at the Aggie Softball Complex.
A&M (29-7, 2-0 Big 12) pounded out 10 hits to earn its first Big 12 sweep after a 12-4, six-inning victory yesterday against the Jayhawks (14-17, 0-2 Big 12). On Saturday it was freshman Meagan May who tallied the game-ending grand slam.
Dumezich (8-0) threw a two-hit complete game to remain unbeaten in the circle. The only run that crossed the plate was unearned and the Whiting, Ind., native walked just one.
"I like the statement that our team made this weekend," said A&M head coach Jo Evans. "We scored a lot of runs and it wasn't just from one or two hitters, it was throughout the lineup. Our players showed tremendous patience at the plate and that's what we needed. Once we set the table we have a lot of players that can do some damage."
The Aggies started the game by scoring their first three hitters in the bottom of the first. Senior Macie Morrow led off with a single to left. After a quick KU pitching change, Morrow advanced all the way to home on three illegal pitches. The next four A&M batters drew walks and senior Alex Reynolds was the first to pick up an RBI. Dumezich sailed a sacrifice fly to deep right field to score May and get the Aggies out to an early 3-0 lead.
Texas A&M added two more in the third. May led off with a line-drive single to left and Kliesing drew a walk before Reynolds plated pinch runner Andrea Tovar with a hard-hit double to right. Dumezich tallied her second sacrifice fly when Kliesing scored from third on a fly ball to center.
The Aggies continued seeing the ball well and led off the fifth with back-to-back singles from Kliesing and Reynolds. Dumezich then laced a line-drive RBI double down the right field line to plate Reynolds and give A&M a 6-0 advantage.
With two outs in the top of the sixth, Kansas squeaked out pair of singles to break up Dumezich's no-hitter. Alex Jones scored the lone Jayhawks' run on a passed ball.
In the bottom of the sixth, Morrow led off with a base hit followed by junior Kelsey Spittler's double past the KU centerfielder. With first base open and no one out, May was intentionally walked to load the bases for Kliesing. From Pearland, Texas, Kliesing laced her seventh home run and first grand slam over the center field fence on a 2-1 count. The four-bagger ended the game, 10-1.
"That's kind of been the tale of the season" commented Evans. "Rhi is getting some pitches to hit behind Meagan and she's making the most of it. She's having a career year at the plate and gaining a lot of respect."
Kliesing was perfect at the dish, going 2-for-2 with four RBIs and two walks. Reynolds was also 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs, while Dumezich had a hit and three RBIs. Spittler (2-for-3) and Morrow (2-for-4) added two hits and two runs each.
Sarah Vertelka (5-11) was the losing pitcher in the circle. She gave up nine runs on nine hits and walked seven.
The Aggies continue Big 12 play this week and travel to Baylor on Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. game before making the trip to Nebraska on Friday and Saturday.
