19th-Ranked Aggies Upset No. 15 Oklahoma with 3-0 Shutout

Friday, April 22

Norman, Okla.

7:00 PM

Texas A&M

34-12, 0

Oklahoma

33-14, 0

Texas A&M

Oklahoma

Apr 22, 2011 | Softball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

April 22, 2011

Final Stats

NORMAN, Okla. - In her first Big 12 game of the season, sophomore Meagan May hit a two-RBI double as the No. 19 Texas A&M softball team (34-12, 6-4 Big 12) shutout No. 15 Oklahoma (33-14, 6-6 Big 12), 3-0, Friday in game one of a two-game conference series at the OU Softball Complex.

"I loved our kids' approach at the plate," head coach Jo Evans said. "All through the lineup their confidence was there. We came here to play a game and win it. I loved how fired-up our kids were, how they carried momentum through. That delay could have made a difference in the game. Our kids could have come out flat and they could have come out pumped up. Instead we got our three outs and we're good-to-go."

The Aggies looked strong coming out of the gate. Redshirt junior Natalie Villarreal led off in the top of the first with a single up the middle. The second baseman took third on a throwing error in right field and a passed ball, but was left stranded in the inning.

In the top of the third Villarreal again reached, on an error at third base. A single up the middle by senior Rhi Kliesing pushed Villarreal to second before May slugged a hit into center field that scored both base runners for the 2-0 lead. The designated player was injured against Sam Houston State on March 23 and was out of the lineup for the next 11 games, including the Aggies' first nine conference contests.

After a 30-minute weather delay for lightning in the middle of the fifth, A&M lost no momentum against the 15th-ranked Sooners. After shutting down the side in order, freshman Amber Garza led off in the sixth with a hard double to center that looked like it was on its way over the wall. The ball hit at the 225 mark as Garza rounded first and slid into second.

With one out, senior Kelsey Spittler sent a pitch to the right. OU left-handed pitcher Keilani Ricketts reached for the ball but just tapped it as it lasered past the second baseman into right field. Garza flew home on the play to give the Aggies a 3-0 lead while Spittler took second on the throw from the outfield.

A&M ended the game with a dramatic seventh inning, sending the final three batters back to the Sooner dugout with two runners on base.

Sophomore Mel Dumezich (20-7) earned the win for the Aggies, striking out nine batters in seven complete innings in the circle, allowing no runs on three hits for her 10th shutout of the season. Ricketts (20-7) suffered the loss. The sophomore gave up three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched.

"I thought Mel was so fired-up tonight," Evans said. "She was all hopped-up. She went at them and made them chase some pitches. Mel has really set the tone for us in the way she carries herself on the field."

After game two tomorrow, the Aggies continue their Big 12 road trip next weekend, traveling to Lawrence, Kan., to battle Kansas at Arrocha Ballpark. Saturday's game is set for a new 4 p.m. start. Sunday is the last road game of the regular season for A&M, and will begin at noon. For more information on Texas A&M softball, log on to AggieAthletics.com.