Texas A&M
7-3
Wichita State
2-7
No. 23 Aggies Blank WSU, UTA in Day Two of Aggie Classic
Feb 19, 2011 | Softball
Feb. 19, 2011
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -
The No. 23 Texas A&M softball team shut out Wichita State, 16-0, in five innings before blanking UT Arlington, 4-0, in day two of the Aggie Classic, Saturday at the Aggie Softball Complex.
A&M improves to 8-3 after a six-game winning streak. The Mavericks are 4-5 on the season after the loss, while WSU struggles at 2-7.
The Aggies started game one off strong with a five-run second inning against the Shockers. Sophomore Meagan May led off in the bottom of the inning and slugged her first home run of the season, the 25th long ball of her career, over the left field fence on the first pitch to give the Aggies a 1-0 jump on the game.
Wichita State pitcher Brianna Smet walked sophomore Mel Dumezich, freshman Emily Albus and junior Natalie Villarreal in order, to load the bases with two outs. Sophomore Brittany Walker stepped up and slapped a single to the shortstop that bounced high over the infielder's head. The hit earned two RBI, scoring Dumezich and Albus.
Villarreal and Walker crossed the plate on the next at-bat, a double powered to the wall at right-center by senior Rhiannon Kliesing. The Aggies finished the inning with a 5-0 lead.
The Shockers got as far as third base in the top of the third when Kiersten Dixon hit a single that advanced Erin Carney to the last bag. She was left stranded in the next play.
The Aggies continued their winning ways in the bottom of the third. May led off and took first on a ball four. Sophomore Lauren Schwirtlich pinch ran for her and scored in the next at-bat when freshman Amber Garza slammed a double to right center.
Tysarczyk singled to second behind Garza and advanced her to third. Dumezich doubled next and put Tysarczyk into scoring position at third, scoring Garza. Albus hit to the second baseman, who bobbled the ball and picked up an error, putting the center fielder safely at first and scoring Tysarczyk and Dumezich.
Senior Missy Siegel pinch hit for Walker and took the first pitch of the at-bat to the back, advancing Albus to second. Kliesing pushed Albus across, unearned, on a double and advanced Siegel to third. Senior Andrea Tovar pinch hit and drew a walk to load the bases.
Schwirtlich flied out to the left fielder and earned an RBI on the sacrifice, scoring Siegel and giving the Aggies an 11-0 lead. Senior Kara Rau singled through the right side and once again loaded the bases. Tysarczyk stepped up for her second at-bat of the inning and picked up two RBI on a double that sent Tovar and Kliesing home. Rau advanced to second on the play, but was out at third to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, freshman Allison Garrett singled to center field with two outs. She scored on a triple to right field by freshman Taran Tyler. Kliesing walked and Tyler crossed the plate on an illegal pitch by WSU's Sloan Anderson.
Kliesing advanced to second on a second illegal pitch before Tovar singled to right, scoring the first baseman. The inning ended with a 16-0 A&M advantage.
Dumezich struck out two in the top of the fifth to end the game. The Whiting, Ind., native took the win and holds a 4-2 record. She struck out seven of 19 batters faced in the shutout. Smet (1-3) suffered the loss, allowing five earned runs to start the game.
The Aggies lost no momentum between games, grabbing two quick runs in the top of the first. Villarreal led off for the home team, singling to left center. Walker bunted to the second baseman, picking up a sacrifice when Villarreal advanced to second.
Kliesing picked up her third hit of the day, an RBI single that scored Villarreal. The Pearland, Texas, native advanced to second on the throw from centerfield. May doubled for a second RBI of the inning. Freshman Kaydee Rayburn, pinch running for Kliesing, scored on the hit.
Freshmen Nicole Morgan and Tysarczyk sealed the deal with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the sixth. Morgan's first career long ball flew over the fence at left field. Tysarczyk followed with a slam over center, her second career home run in as many days.
The Mavericks went three-up, three-down in the top of the seventh and the Aggies earned a second shutout on the day with a 4-0 victory. A&M picked up four wins in the Aggie Classic.
Redshirt junior Lindsey Sisk (4-1) took the win, allowing no runs on four hits. UTA's Callie Collins (2-1) suffered the loss after giving up four earned runs.
The Aggies host Texas State Tuesday at the Aggie Softball Complex. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Log on to AggieAthletics.com for more information on A&M softball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dumezich, Mel (4-2)
L: Smet, Brianna (1-3)
Batting:
SH: Boston, Meghan 1
Base Running:
PO: Miller, Danika 1
Batting:
2B: Kliesing, Rhiannon 2 ; Garza, Amber 1 ; Tysarczyk, Cassie 1 ; Dumezich, Mel 1
3B: Tyler, Taran 1
HR: May, Meagan 1
RBI: Walker, Brittany 2 ; Kliesing, Rhiannon 4 ; Tovar, Andrea 1 ; May, Meagan 1 ; Schwirtlich, Lauren 1 ; Tyler, Taran 1 ; Garza, Amber 1 ; Tysarczyk, Cassie 2 ; Dumezich, Mel 1
SF: Schwirtlich, Lauren 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Villarreal, Natalie 1 ; Garrett, Allison 1 ; Walker, Brittany 1 ; Siegel, Missy 1 ; Kliesing, Rhiannon 2 ; Tovar, Andrea 1 ; May, Meagan 1 ; Schwirtlich, Lauren 1 ; Tyler, Taran 1 ; Garza, Amber 1 ; Tysarczyk, Cassie 1 ; Dumezich, Mel 2 ; Albus, Emily 2
SB: Walker, Brittany 1
HBP: Siegel, Missy 1
