Texas A&M
Louisiana-Lafayette
Aggies' Season Ends in Baton Rouge
May 23, 2010 | Softball
May 23, 2010
BATON ROUGE, La. - The No. 18 Texas A&M softball team dropped a 6-1 decision to Louisiana-Lafayette and saw its season come to an end in the Baton Rouge Regional final on Sunday afternoon at Tiger Park.
The Aggies finished their season with a 44-16 record, marking their sixth 40-win season under head coach Jo Evans. The Ragin' Cajuns (45-16) advance to the NCAA Super Regional at No. 5 seed UCLA.
Freshmen Meagan May and Melissa Dumezich were named to the NCAA Baton Rouge All-Regional Team for their exceptional play on the weekend.
"It's of course disappointing for us," said Evans. "Our team has really fought hard this season and has done a nice job. I'm very encouraged about our team and our program, and we can really build from here. Our seniors have done a great job and I appreciate all they've done for our program.
"Congratulations to UL, they played well and came out attacking the ball from the get-go. They were a team on a mission. They had great crowd support and gave their fans everything to cheer about."
A&M and Louisiana-Lafayette each started the game with runners in scoring position, but both teams were held scoreless in the first. In fact, the Aggies forced the Cajuns to strand seven through the first three frames.
The Cajuns would not be held any longer and broke through with a four-spot in the top of the fourth. After the Aggies walked two, Melissa Verde connected for a one-out, RBI single through the right side. Gabriele Bridges then followed with a three-run home run to left to get UL out to a 4-0 lead.
May took back a run in the bottom of the inning with a lead-off, solo homer to left. The long ball marked her 24th of the year, which set both the A&M and the Big 12 single-season record.
The Cajuns , however, regained their four-run lead with an RBI single from Vallie Gaspard in the top of the fifth. She scored Kelly Cormier from second on a bloop single to left center.
The Aggies got another base runner in the sixth when freshman Lauren Schwirtlich led off with a slap single to left. She advanced to third, but A&M could not push the run across.
The Cajuns tacked on their final run in the seventh with an RBI double by Verde.
Sophomore Rebecca Arbino (19-9) was saddled with the loss after giving up four runs on two hits, walking two and striking out two in one inning of work. Dumezich started in the circle and gave up two runs on 12 hits, walked two and fanned one.
Brittany Cuevas (21-7) picked up the loss after throwing a complete game. She allowed one run on four hits, walked one and added three K's.
May led A&M going 2-for-3 with a home run, while Dumezich and Schwritlich each added a hit.
The Aggies also forced the Cajuns to strand 12 runners in the contest.
