April 1, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format 
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -
After splitting games in its Big 12 opening series, the No. 20 Texas A&M softball team (28-8, 1-1 Big 12) will host Iowa State (16-11, 1-1 Big 12) in another pair of conference games this weekend at the Aggie Softball Complex.
The teams play Saturday at 2 p.m. before another game Sunday at noon. In 2010, the Aggies battled to an eight-inning victory in Ames when sophomore Meagan May hit a two-run bomb that tied the game in the seventh inning. Senior Kelsey Spittler scored the winning run on an error before junior Kelsea Orsak's single up the middle plated the run that expanded the Aggies' lead to a 4-2 come-from-behind victory. The team then routed the Cyclones, 9-1 in six innings, in the second game of the series for the sweep.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live stats and live audio will be provided for every game this season on AggieAthletics.com. In addition, both games this weekend will feature live streaming video on AggieAthletics.com. Fans can listen to Saturday's game live this weekend on Sports Radio 1150 AM. Sunday's contest can be followed on 95.1-3 The Zone HD. Log on to RadioAggieland.com for more information.
LAST TIME OUT
The Aggies opened conference play with a two-game series against No. 15 Baylor. The team fought through 11 innings at Getterman Stadium in Waco before falling 2-1 on a walkoff home run by the Lady Bears. Game two at the Aggie Softball Complex proved to be another exciting matchup. Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth, sophomore Mel Dumezich slammed a three-run long ball to tie the game. Baylor threatened to defeat the Aggies for a second time on the weekend when shortstop Dani Leal homered for the go-ahead run in the top of seven, but freshman Nicole Morgan slugged a pitch over the fence down the left field line and picked up two RBI on the game-winning walk-off play.
SCOUTING IOWA STATE
The Cyclones are 16-11 on the season and 1-1 in Big 12 play. The team split a double header with Creighton Thursday, after kicking off conference play at home against No. 17 Oklahoma State. The Cyclones defeated the Cowgirls on a two-run homer in the sixth inning in game one before falling in game two of the series. The victory Saturday was ISU's first win over a ranked opponent since 2009. Iowa State was 26-29 overall and was 4-14 (9th) in conference games in 2010. Leading the Cyclones in 2011 is Heidi Kidwell. The junior is batting .376 with 32 hits in 85 at-bats, including two doubles, two triples and a home run. She also leads the team with 23 runs, earning 18 RBI and 41 total bases. Senior Rachel Zabriskie (10-6) leads the hurlers, posting a 2.89 ERA in 19 appearances in the circle. The right-handed pitcher has thrown two shutouts and two saves, striking out 124 batters in 99.1 innings of work and allowing 41 earned runs on 90 hits. A&M leads the all-time series against Iowa State, 33-6.
MAY INJURED
May, a 2010 All-American, fractured her right middle finger March 23 in the first inning of the game against Sam Houston State. She will not be in the lineup against Iowa State this weekend and is out indefinitely.
ON DECK
The Aggies travel to Austin on Wednesday for the first softball game of the 2011 State Farm Lone Star Showdown. A&M will take on Texas at 6:30 p.m. at McCombs Field.
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. 20 by ESPN.com/USA Softball, and 21st by USA Today/NFCA. A&M's remaining opponents appearing in the polls are No. 8/9 Texas, No. 13/16 Nebraska, No. 15/14 Oklahoma, No. 16/11 Missouri, No. 17/17 Baylor, No. 19/18 Oklahoma State and No. 23/22 Texas Tech.
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' contest at home against Texas on May 4 will air live on FSN. The game is set for a 6:30 first pitch.
GET IT LIVE
Live audio and live stats are featured in every A&M game in 2011. Several contests will be aired on Sports Radio 1150 AM. All other games will be broadcast live on AggieAthletics.com and on 95.1-3 The Zone HD, making it available worldwide on any iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry or PDA free of charge. Log on to RadioAggieland.com for more information.