No. 21 Aggies Take Bearkats in Five

Wednesday, March 23

College Station

6:30 PM

Texas A&M

27-7

Sam Houston State

12-21

Sam Houston State

Texas A&M

Mar 23, 2011 | Softball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

March 23, 2011

Final Stats

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Senior Rhi Kliesing went 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI as the No. 21 Texas A&M softball team (27-7) collected its fifth run-rule in six games Wednesday with the 10-1 five-inning defeat of Sam Houston State at the Aggie Softball Complex.

"We haven't just been sitting on one big inning," head coach Jo Evans said. "We've been stringing some innings together and shortening some games. Our pitchers need to remember how to throw seven innings. I thought our kids did a really nice job."

The Aggies combined for 10 runs in the first three innings to give SHSU no choice in the game. With the bases loaded and one out in the first, freshman Amber Garza laced a single to left field that scored freshman Cassie Tysarczyk from third and filled the bases again.

Senior Kelsey Spittler slammed a bases-clearing double to right-center to give the Aggies a 4-0 lead as Kliesing, freshman Nicole Morgan and Garza crossed the plate. Morgan had entered to catch in the top of the first when sophomore Meagan May broke a finger in her right hand.

The bottom of the second proved to be another four-run blowout for the Aggies. Sophomore Brittany Walker led off with a bunt single tapped short toward the pitcher. Junior Natalie Villarreal drew a walk before Tysarczyk singled to right field to load the bags. Kliesing added a single through the right side that sent Walker home.

Morgan tallied a third base hit for A&M on the inning through the left side that plated Villarreal. Garza slammed a long single to center, earning two RBI as Tysarczyk and Kliesing crossed home for the 8-0 lead.

"I came in the other day and there was Amber in the cages by herself hitting one-handed tees," Evans said. "That makes me feel good. Amber Garza is one of those kids that knows that it takes time and practice. I like that if she doesn't feel comfortable she can come out and look at stuff to get it right."

The team lost no momentum in the third when Kliesing picked up her third hit of the night, a two-run home run to center field. The bomb also scored Tysarczyk, who had reached on a single to right-center. The freshman was 2-for-3 with three runs.

"Rhi's such a good hitter," Evan's said. "I love that she stands up there and looks good on the first pitch, and then she swings and hits the next one over the wall."

The Bearkats attempted to rally in the fifth, picking up one run on a solo long ball over right field by shortstop Hailey Wiginton, but the inning ended with the Aggies leading 10-1 for the five-inning run-rule.

Redshirt junior Lindsey Sisk (13-3) led the defense from the circle, picking up the win in five complete innings. She fanned two batters in the effort and allowed one run on five hits. SHSU starter Courtney Schoenemann (2-7) took the loss, giving up eight runs on eight hits.

The Aggies dive into conference play Saturday at Baylor before facing the Lady Bears at home on Sunday. First pitch for Saturday's contest is set for 2 p.m. while Sunday's game will begin at 3 p.m. Log onto AggieAthletics.com for more information on Aggie softball.