COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Freshman Lauren Tamayo hit two home runs as Maroon defeated White, 4-3, in game one of the Maroon & White Series Wednesday at the Aggie Softball Complex.
A home run over center field off the bat of sophomore Nicole Morgan in the bottom of the second gave White an early 1-0 lead. Sophomore Cassie Tysarczyk put a single in right field behind Morgan, but was left stranded.
In the top of the third, Maroon put together a two-out rally when senior Lindsey Sisk drew a walk and was pushed to second on a single to left field by Taran Tyler. Neither runner was able to score, however, and White kept its 1-0 lead.
A leadoff bomb to right-center by Tamayo evened the score in the top of the fourth before senior Natalie Villarreal singled to the gap in left field and plated freshman Brittany Clopton for the 2-1 lead.
A third home run, by junior White team pitcher Mel Dumezich, tied the game a second time in the bottom of the fifth. With the game in a 2-2 draw, White tried to pull ahead. With bases loaded, Tysarczyk, who had reached on a single up the middle, flew home when sophomore Emily Albus grounded into play. Tysarczyk was thrown out at home, however and three runners were left on the bags in the end of the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Tyler singled up the middle. With two outs on the board, Tamayo went yard for the second time, going opposite field over left. The home run sent Maroon out to a late 4-2 lead.
Dumezich hit her second home run to left field of the day in the bottom of the seventh, narrowing the score to a 4-3 Maroon lead. White was unable to finish off in the seventh, though, and Maroon prevailed with a 4-3 victory in game one.
Dumezich pitched seven full innings for White, striking out four batters and giving up four runs on seven hits. Sisk started for Maroon and threw six complete innings, allowing two runs on six hits and fanning four batters. Freshman Lauren Ainsley finished the game for Maroon and gave up one run on two hits.
The Aggies return to the diamond Friday at 4:15 p.m. for game two of the Maroon & White Series. The game will be broadcast on AggieAthletics.com. To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to AggieAthletics.com.