Texas A&M
Stephen F. Austin
No. 20 Aggies Cruise to 7-0 Victory Against SFA
Apr 06, 2010 | Softball
April 6, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M junior Rhi Kliesing blasted a three-run home run in the first inning for the game-winner in a 7-0 victory against Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday evening at the Aggie Softball Complex.
The 20th-ranked Aggies (31-9) plated five of their seven runs in the decisive first frame and sophomore Rebecca Arbino earned her eighth shutout of the season with a six-strikeout performance against the Ladyjacks (20-9) in the circle.
A&M jumped out to a quick lead in the bottom of the first off the bats of Kliesing and freshman Lauren Schwirtlich was the first Aggie on base via a walk and junior Alex Reynolds and Macie Morrow and get the Aggies out to a 5-0 lead. Reynolds drew a walk to reach base and Morrow doubled over the right fielder's head.
"Anytime we can get our lead-off and two-hole on base in the first inning, you know good things are going to happen," said A&M head coach Jo Evans. "Rhi has hit the ball really well and stepped up when we needed her. She's really worked hard on her swing and hit the ball hard tonight. Coach McNutt is doing a great job with SFA and the score tonight was not very indicative of how well they've been doing. They're having a great year and have a good chance of winning the Southland Conference."
After three scoreless innings, the Ladyjacks loaded the bases in the top of the fifth with a pair of singles and a two-out walk, but Arbino struck out SFA's top hitter, Briana Bishop, to tally her third K of the inning and get out of the frame unharmed.
Freshman Meagan May started the bottom of the fifth with a line-drive to left center to extend a six-game hitting streak. Reynolds drew her second walk with one out and chased off starting pitcher Angela White. Monika Covington, who came into the circle in relief, forced the first Aggie to hit an infield groundout, but pinch runner Andrea Tovar and Reynolds both advanced a base on the putout. Covington threw two illegal pitches which allowed both runners to score in the inning and gave A&M a 7-0 advantage.
Arbino (17-6) allowed five hits, walked just two and struck out six, all of which came in the final three innings, for her eighth shutout of the season.
"Becca looked really good tonight and I'm excited about that," Evans said. "Our team scored early and that was a big deal. It helped her relax, feel comfortable and get in a good rhythm."
White (11-4) gave up all seven runs, five hits, walked seven and struck out three in the loss.
The Aggies continue their homestand tomorrow and take on No. 16 Texas in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown. First pitch at the Aggie Softball Complex is set for 6:30 p.m.
"Texas is a really good ball club and I think a lot of coaches underestimated them," commented Evans. "Blaire Luna's been terrific as a freshman and they really hit the ball well. We're going to have to come out and be aggressive. It was great to see the Corps out tonight and I hope we'll have a lot of people come out tomorrow, and that the crowd will really get into it."
