Texas A&M
Northern Colorado
No. 19 Softball Splits on Friday in Texas A&M Invitational
Mar 05, 2010 | Softball
March 5, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Freshman pitcher Melissa Dumezich threw her first career shutout and the No. 19 Texas A&M softball team tallied off nine hits to cruise past Northern Colorado, 7-0, before dropping a 5-4 decision to BYU Friday in the second day of the Texas A&M Invitational at the Aggie Softball Complex.
Dumezich (2-0) earned her first career start in the circle against the Bears, struck out a career-high six batters, and allowed just three hits to lead the Aggies (14-5) to their first win of the tournament. A&M started with a 4-0 lead in the night cap against the Cougars (13-4), but five errors, including three in the bottom of the sixth, gave BYU the one-run edge.
"Tonight our team played with a lot more heart, a lot more fire and just wanted it more," said head coach Jo Evans. "That's the way we want our kids to play. It's frustrating for us to have a game in hand and let it get away like that, but we have the tools and the kind of talent we need to be successful. We just have to be a more experienced, savvy team when we get in pressure situations."
In front of a crowd of 1,111, Texas A&M jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead against Northern Colorado. Junior Alex Reynolds hit a deep sacrifice fly to left field.
In the third inning, Dumezich reached second base on a dropped fly ball at the warning track before sophomore Kelsea Orsak slapped a singled up the middle to score the Whiting, Ind., native and put the Aggies ahead 4-0.
With two outs and one on in the bottom of the fifth, senior Macie Morrow and Spittler hit back-to-back singles to load the bases for May. The catcher from Spring, Texas, came through with a bases-clearing double to left center to the extend A&M's lead to 7-0.
Dumezich threw seven complete innings for the win, while Jamie Juelfs (1-5) gave up seven runs on nine hits, eight walks and fanned two in the loss.
"Mel kept her composure and did a good job tonight," commented Evans. "We needed to get innings out of her and I was glad to see her throw a complete game."
As the visitors against BYU, May started the game with a two-run blast to left field. Spittler was on base via a walk for May's seventh homer of the year that got the Aggies out to a 2-0 lead.
In the second, Orsak drew a walk and freshman Lauren Schwirtlich recorded a base hit to set the table for Spittler. The Aggie left fielder plated Orsak with a line-drive single to left before Schwirtlich scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-0 and chase off starting pitcher Christie Zinanti.
The Cougars, however, cut the lead in half in the third. Kristin Delahoussaye's two-out double to right center pushed one run across before Angeline Quiocho singled in the infield, but an Aggie throwing error on the play allowed Delahoussaye to score from third.
Amanda Vance-Kellum hit a solo home run in the fourth to narrow the margin to 4-3.
The Cougars took advantage of three errors in the sixth and stole the lead without a hit in the inning. A&M was retired in order in the top of the seventh.
Arbino (6-3) allowed five runs, only two of which were earned, on five hits, walked two and struck out eight.
"Arbino was really great tonight," Evans explained. "She did exactly what we needed her to do. She kept their hitters off balance."
In five and two-thirds innings of relief work, Hannah Howell (2-0) picked up the victory for BYU. She gave up just one hit and one walk and added five K's.
May led the Aggies at the plate with three hits, a double, a home run and six RBIs. Spittler was 3-for-6 with a triple, an RBI and three runs scored, while Morrow also added three hits.
The Aggies play two more games as part of the Texas A&M Invitational tomorrow. A&M faces Monmouth at 3 p.m. and Northern Colorado at 5:15 p.m.
