Feb. 15, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format 
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -
The 23rd-ranked Texas A&M softball team (2-3) looks to pick up a pair of wins when it travels to Nacogdoches, Texas, to take on Stephen F. Austin (0-4) in a double header on Wednesday. The first pitch is thrown at 2 p.m., followed by a second contest at 4 p.m.
Last year when the Ladyjacks traveled to the Aggie Softball Complex, senior Rhiannon Kliesing slammed a three-run home run over the left field fence in the first inning to give A&M a quick 3-0 lead. The Aggies finished the game with a 7-0 shutout of SFA.
Texas A&M holds an 47-5 record against the Ladyjacks and has won 30 of the past 31 games against Stephen F. Austin dating back to 1994.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live stats and live audio will be provided for Wednesday's games on AggieAthletics.com. The contests will also be broadcast live on KNDE-FM's HD3 channel, 95.1-3, making it available worldwide on any iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry or PDA free of charge. Log on to radioaggieland.com for more information.
LAST TIME OUT
The Aggies opened the season at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz., where three of their five opponents were nationally ranked. They came home with wins over Cal State Fullerton and Bradley, and fell to No. 14 Oregon, No. 16 BYU, and top-ranked Arizona. Junior Natalie Villarreal and senior Kelsey Spittler led the offense on the weekend. Villarreal hit .313 in five starts, going 5-for-16 with two doubles and two RBI. Spittler hit her career-first grand slam vs. Fullerton and added another homer vs. Bradley to bat .308 at the tournament. She was 4-for-13 with two runs and six RBI. Sophomore Mel Dumezich (1-2) led the Aggies from the circle in three complete games, earning the win over Bradley. She fanned nine batters in the 3-1 victory, and struck out 21 total in 19.1 innings of work.
AGGIES IN THE POLLS
Texas A&M started the season ranked in the top 25 in both preseason national polls, and is currently ranked No. 23 by ESPN.com/USA Softball, and 25th by USA Today/NFCA. A&M's remaining opponents appearing in the polls are No. 2/4 Georgia, No. 6/6 Oklahoma, No. 8/10 Missouri, No. 10/11 Washington, No. 13/13 Texas, No. 20/20 Oklahoma State, No. 21 Nebraska and 24/21 Texas Tech. In addition, Ohio State and Baylor are receiving votes.
SCOUTING STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
The Ladyjacks started the year 0-4 at the University of Houston Tournament last weekend. Stephen F. Austin opened with a 3-7 loss to Ohio. The team also suffered losses to Michigan, Southern Illinois and Houston. Junior Amber Price tallied six hits and three runs on 14 at-bats on the weekend, leading the SFA hitters with a .429 batting average. Freshman Carlie Thomas (0-2) earned her first two career starts in the circle, striking out six batters and giving up 13 hits and 13 runs in 12 innings for a 6.00 ERA.
ON DECK
A&M's home opener is set for Friday, Feb. 18 against UT Arlington in the Aggie Classic. The team remains in the comfortable confines of the Aggie Softball Complex for five straight games, including four as a part of the Aggie Classic. Wichita State, Texas Southern, the Mavericks and the Aggies make up the four-team tournament.
AGGIE CONNECTION
Stephen F. Austin head coach Gay McNutt was a four-year starter at catcher for the Aggies from 1982-85. During her time at A&M, she helped the team to the program's first and second national championships (1982 AIAW, 1983 NCAA). McNutt was a four-year all-region selection and was honored as a member of the All-America team her senior year.
BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL
A&M was picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Aggies received 54 points and finished behind preseason favorite Oklahoma (79), Missouri (71) and Texas (69). A&M was selected as the frontrunner for three consecutive years, from 2006-08, and was picked sixth last season. Oklahoma State placed fifth with 50 points, followed by Baylor (40), Texas Tech (33), Nebraska (26), Iowa State (15) and Kansas (13).
AGGIE SOFTBALL ON TV
The Aggies are one of four Big 12 teams to play in front of a national audience in 2011. A&M's contest against Texas on May 4 will air on FSN. The game is set for a 6:30 first pitch.
GET IT LIVE
Live streaming video will be available for every home game this season. Fans can log on to AggieAthletics.com to watch the action as it happens. Live audio and live stats are featured in every A&M game in 2010. Several contests will be aired on Sports Radio 1150 AM. All other games will be broadcast live on AggieAthletics.com and on KNDE-FM's HD3 channel, 95.1-3, making it available worldwide on any iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry or PDA free of charge. Log on to RadioAggieland.com for more information.
GAMEDAY PARKING
Parking is available for all home softball games in Lot 100 at Reed Arena and Olsen Field. Parking is free when there are no games at Reed or Olsen. During basketball and baseball games, parking will be $5. Arrive early to secure a space. For maps and schedules, log on to AggieAthletics.com.