Texas A&M
24-7
Colorado State
6-24
Dumezich Throws Career-High Strikeouts as Aggies Run-Rule Rams
Mar 19, 2011 | Softball
March 19, 2011
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Sophomore hurler Mel Dumezich threw a career-high 13 strikeouts as the No. 22 Texas A&M softball team (24-7) run-ruled Colorado State (6-24) in a six-inning 10-1 victory.
The Rams sent a runner to third in each of the first two innings, but Dumezich held the runners, striking out the final batter each time. Dumezich threw 13 strikeouts in the game.
"Colorado State did a good job early on getting the leadoff hitter on base," head coach Jo Evans said. "Mel did a great job shutting them down. In the third inning she turned into a whole new pitcher, throwing all different kinds of pitches. I just like that you've got a kid out there that can get a strikeout when you need it and can get herself out of a jam."
In the top of the third sophomore Meagan May lined a two-out single through the left side. The RBI base hit scored sophomore Brittany Walker, who reached on an error by the second baseman. May advanced to second as the left fielder bobbled the ball and freshman Cassie Tysarczyk, reaching base on a walk, scored from third on the same error for the 2-0 lead.
Dumezich led off the next inning with a double powered down the left field line and was replaced at second by freshman Kaydee Rayburn. Rayburn took third on a wild pitch before freshman Nicole Morgan pounded a second double on the inning, hitting the fence in left field. Morgan picked up an RBI as Rayburn scored on the play to push A&M ahead, 3-0.
The team surged to a bigger lead in the top of the fifth when May slammed a bomb over the fence down the left field line. Freshman Rhi Kliesing, also scored on the play and the Aggies took a 5-0 advantage.
Dumezich drew a walk with two outs in the fifth. Morgan added a second home run on the inning, sending the long ball laser just over the fence in left, scoring two runs on the hit.
In the top of the sixth, Walker led off with a bunt single up the third base line. Villarreal sent her to second with another single down the left field line. Tysarczyk took a pitch to the body to load the bases.
With two outs and the bases loaded, freshman Amber Garza found a hole in right field and picked up three RBI on the bases-clearing double. The Aggies pulled ahead 10-0 in the inning.
Colorado State attempted to rally, grabbing one unearned run on an error in the sixth. Dumezich struck out the last two batters, however, and the game ended in a six-inning 10-1 run rule of the Rams.
Dumezich (13-4) picked up the win with no earned runs and two walks in six complete innings. The Whiting, Ind., native has a perfect 0.00 ERA in three complete games this weekend. CSU's Alexa Cash (1-8) suffered the loss, giving up eight earned runs in five innings in the circle.
The Aggies take on Florida A&M later today in a 2 p.m. CST matchup in Clearwater. A&M will wrap up the weekend tomorrow with the Aggies' final contest of the tournament, an 8:30 a.m. CST game against Long Island. Log on to AggieAthletics.com for more on Texas A&M softball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dumezich, Mel (13-4)
L: CASH, Alexa (1-8)
Batting:
2B: Garza, Amber 1 ; Dumezich, Mel 1 ; Morgan, Nicole 1
HR: May, Meagan 1 ; Morgan, Nicole 1
RBI: May, Meagan 3 ; Garza, Amber 3 ; Morgan, Nicole 3
SH: Villarreal, Natalie 1 ; Dumezich, Mel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Villarreal, Natalie 1 ; Tysarczyk, Cassie 2 ; Albus, Emily 1 ; May, Meagan 1 ; Dumezich, Mel 1 ; Rayburn, Kaydee 1 ; Morgan, Nicole 1 ; Walker, Brittany 2
HBP: Tysarczyk, Cassie 1
Batting:
2B: GRECKEL, Alysa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: POHL, Emily 1
SB: DOUGHTY, Morghan 1
HBP: POHL, Emily 1
PO: BUTTERFIELD, Kendal 1
