No. 19 Aggies Take Bradley, 3-1

Sunday, February 13

Tempe, Ariz.

10:30 AM

Texas A&M

2-3

Bradley

0-5

Bradley

Texas A&M

Feb 13, 2011 | Softball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

Feb. 13, 2011

Final Stats

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -

Junior Natalie Villarreal went 3-3 with two RBI and two doubles in No. 19 Texas A&M softball's 3-1 defeat of Bradley, Sunday in the final game of the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.

Villarreal led off for the Aggies and slammed a double that bounced off the center field fence. Freshman Cassie Tysarczyk followed her into the box and hit a short ball to the third base player who threw it to first for the putout. Villarreal advanced to second on the sacrifice and was sent home on a sacrifice line drive to the center fielder by sophomore Meagan May to give the Aggies an early 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, Villarreal took advantage of her second at-bat, with another double to center field. Freshman Emily Albus advanced to third on the hit, but was put out with an impressive throw from center field to the catcher. Tyzarczyk stepped up to send Villarreal home for her second run of the game, but the San Antonio, Texas, native flied out to the right fielder to end the inning.

Senior Kelsey Spittler hit her second home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth, a long ball that went just fair down the left field line. The left fielder was the sole RBI on the play, expanding the A&M lead to 2-0.

Bradley's Denise Jilka got a piece of a pitch and connected for her first home run of the season in the top of the fifth, just over the right field fence, to narrow the gap to 2-1. Designated player Katelyn Kegley reached first on a fielding error by A&M shortstop Taran Tyler. Kegley was left stranded, however, and the score remained at a 2-1 A&M advantage.

Aggie pitcher Mel Dumezich drew a walk in the bottom of the inning. Pinch runner Lauren Schwirtlich ran home when Villarreal got her third hit of the game in as many at-bats, an RBI single. With two outs, the Frisco, Texas, native stole second, sliding awkwardly and was called safe, but rolled off of the bag and was tagged out by the shortstop for the third out.

In the next inning May was hit by a pitch and advanced to first where senior Andrea Tovar pinch ran. Senior Rhiannon Kliesing and Spittler drew walks in the next two at-bats to load the bases. Freshman Nicole Morgan slammed a high ball to the left fielder, hoping to earn a sacrifice, but Tovar left third early and was called out to end the inning.

Dumezich allowed one hit in the top of the seventh, but struck out the last batter to end the game. The Whiting, Ind., native earned her first win of the season in three starts (1-2) and fanned nine batters in the effort. Bradley's Lindsay Hufeld took the loss and is 0-2 from the mound.

Illness caused some changes in the A&M lineup. Dumezich took the mound out of rotation for redshirt junior Lindsey Sisk, who stayed back at the team hotel with sophomore shortstop Brittany Walker. Both starters were running fevers before the game.

The Aggies face Stephen F. Austin in a double header Wednesday in Nacogdoches, Texas. Game one is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch, followed by a second contest at 4 p.m. Log on to www.AggieAthletics.com or RadioAggieland.com to listen to the action live.