No. 22 Softball Rallies for 10-2 Run-Rule Victory Over USF

Friday, March 18

Tampa, Fla.

4:30 PM

Texas A&M

23-7

USF

16-14

Texas A&M

South Florida

Mar 18, 2011 | Softball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

March 18, 2011

Final Stats

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 22 Texas A&M softball team (23-7) came back from an early deficit to run rule South Florida (16-14) 10-2 at the USF Softball Stadium on day one of the USF The Game Tournament.

The host Bulls grabbed the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the first on RBI singles by center fielder Janine Richardson and first baseman Stephanie Medina.

The Aggies rallied from the 2-0 deficit in the top of the third with a three-run home run by sophomore Meagan May. Junior Natalie Villarreal and freshman Cassie Tysarczyk drew walks to start the inning.

With two outs and runners on first and second, May lined a long ball over the fence down the first base line to give A&M a 3-2 lead. USF was unable to take the lead the rest of the game.

"We defensively made great plays," head coach Jo Evans said. "[The Bulls] are tricky. They've got some weapons. Those lefty slappers have got a lot of speed. They're challenging. After that first inning we did such a great job to keep them off the bases. To me, that was a game where we controlled the things that we could control."

Junior Kelsea Orsak led off the top of the fourth with a hard infield chop down the left field line. Sophomore Brittany Walker followed with another infield single, to the shortstop. Villarreal added a third infield base hit with a bunt, beating the throw to first.

With the bases loaded and no outs, freshman Rhi Kliesing powered a double to left that cleared the bases for three RBI as the Aggies broadened the gap to 7-2.

"I felt like we had a good approach at the plate. Once we took a look at the lefty they were throwing at us, I liked the adjustments we made," Evans said. "I like what our hitters did and I feel like we took their pitcher completely out of her game."

Orsak led off in the top of the fifth with another chop single that bounced high over the head of the pitcher. Walker again singled behind her. Villarreal reached first on a fielder's choice and the bases were loaded when Orsak was safe at third on a fielding error by the third baseman.

With one out, Kliesing took a pitch to the body and forced Orsak home for an unearned run on the play. May followed with a laser to center field that ricocheted off the wall and sent Walker and Villarreal home to push the lead to eight and end the game with a 10-2 run rule in A&M's favor. May had two doubles, a grand slam and a three-run home run on the day for 10 RBI.

Redshirt junior Lindsey Sisk (11-3) earned the win, fanning three batters and allowing two earned runs on seven hits in five innings pitched. USF starter Sara Nevins (6-4) suffered the loss. She gave up seven earned runs on seven hits in three innings in the circle.

The Aggies continue tournament play tomorrow with a game against Colorado State at 9 a.m. CST, followed by a 2 p.m. CST matchup with Florida A&M. Both games will take place at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla., and will be broadcast on 95.1-3 The Zone HD. Log on to AggieAthletics.com for more information on Aggie softball.