No. 22 Aggies Take MVSU 8-2

Friday, March 4

Starkville, Miss.

1:00 PM

Texas A&M

13-5

Mississippi Valley State

5-7

Texas A&M

Mississippi ValleySt

Mar 04, 2011 | Softball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

March 4, 2011

Final Stats

STARKVILLE, Miss. -

Freshman Amber Garza hit her second home run of the season and scored two runs as the No. 22 Texas A&M softball team defeated Mississippi Valley State, 8-2 Friday in game one of the Bulldog Classic.

The game was stopped after six innings for rain, giving the Aggies (13-5) the victory over the Delta Devilettes (5-7).

Junior Natalie Villarreal started the game with a leadoff home run over right-center field on the third pitch.

With the Aggies leading 1-0 in the bottom of the second, MVSU's Shana Ladner plunked an RBI single over third base on the left field line that scored Brianna Holmes to tie the game. Rachelle Harris, who had reached on a single, scored on a throwing error by the Aggie defense and the inning ended with a 2-1 Devilette lead.

A&M reclaimed its lead in the next half inning. Garza batted first and again gave the Aggies a leadoff home run, over left-center to tie the game.

Errors and an illegal pitch plagued MVSU in the inning. Sophomore Mel Dumezich reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. She advanced to second on the illegal pitch and was sent home on an RBI single by junior Kelsea Orsak, who advanced to second on the throw.

Orsak took third in the same play when the center fielder overthrew third. Villarreal singled to left behind her and pushed the centerfielder home for the 4-2 lead.

The Aggies expanded their lead to 5-2 in the top of the third when Garza again crossed the plate, on a single by Dumezich.

After two scoreless innings, Dumezich led off in the top of the sixth and picked up her second single of the game, a bunt to the third baseman. Orsak followed with her second hit on the day, a base hit up the left side.

Walker picked up a third single in the inning and sent sophomore Lauren Schwirtlich, pinch running for Dumezich, in for the 6-2 run. Walker advanced to second on the throw and pushed Orsak to third.

The pair advanced again on a wild pitch by MVSU's Kimberly Spivey, putting Walker at third and Orsak back in the dugout with her second run of the game.

Walker picked up another run for A&M when senior Rhiannon Kliesing extended her hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI double to right-center that gave the Aggies an 8-2 lead over the Devilettes.

MVSU had no response in the bottom of the inning as the Aggie defense shut down the side. The rain cancelation was called in the top of the seventh after Garza had scored a third run which wouldn't count, as the inning was not completed.

Dumezich (8-3) picks up the win, striking out seven batters and allowing one earned run in six innings in the circle. Spivey (3-5) suffers the loss, giving up six earned runs on 10 hits and striking out four.

Weather permitting, the Aggies will take on Memphis (12-3) tomorrow at 10 a.m., followed by a 4 p.m. clash with Bulldog Classic host Mississippi State (6-10) that will be broadcast on Sports Radio 1150 AM. Game one on Saturday can be heard on 95.1-3 The Zone HD. Log on to AggieAthletics.com for more information on A&M softball.