Aggies Take SHSU in Home Opener

Wednesday, February 15

COLLEGE STATION

4:30 PM

Texas A&M

4-2

SAM HOUSTON STATE

0-5

Sam Houston State

Texas A&M

Feb 15, 2012 | Softball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Junior Mel Dumezich hit a grand slam as the No. 15 Texas A&M softball team (4-2) defeated Sam Houston State (0-5), 7-4, in the Aggies' home opener on Wednesday.

The win extended the Aggies' home winning streak to a program-best 28 games. A&M is also leading the country in current home winning streaks.

"I was really pleased that we were patient out there," head coach Jo Evans said. "You can kind of panic sometimes when you're playing your home opener and you're supposed to win and some kid gets up there and hits a home run but it ignited us. Our team so far this year in the six games we've played has done a really great job of coming back and scoring after somebody scores on us. It's always really nice to get a good win in a home opener."

The Aggies and Bearkats each had a half-dozen hits on the game but six was all it took for A&M to come out ahead. Trailing by one after a solo home run by SHSU, A&M used the bottom of the third inning to score all seven of its runs.

Sophomore Emily Albus, who was 3-for-3 on the game with a trio of singles, led off in the half-inning with her first base hit of the day, a bunt single. Albus' three hits on the day were a career high. The speedy left fielder took second on a single to the shortstop by senior Kelsea Orsak when Albus beat the throw to the bag.

A one-out, two-RBI double by junior Brittany Walker scored Albus and Orsak before junior Meagan May drew a walk to put runners on first and second. May had four walks on the day. Sophomore Nicole Morgan's fielder's choice split the infield with runners on the corners and, with two outs, sophomore Amber Garza sent a double down the right field line that scored Walker and placed Morgan on third as the Aggies took a 3-1 lead.

Sophomore Cassie Tysarczyk took first on four balls to load the bases before Dumezich stepped up and went yard on the third pitch, going opposite field over right for her first grand slam of the season as A&M secured its lead at 7-1 after the third inning.

"Emily Albus had such a smart club tonight," Evans said. "She set the table in that one inning where we had seven runs. It's nice to have all of that speed there at the end of the lineup."

A three-run shot over right field by the Bearkats in the top of the seventh was the only other blemish on the Aggies' scoreboard but it wasn't enough to give Sam Houston State a chance at a victory as A&M earned its 28^th-straight win at home, a streak that dates back to April of 2010.

Senior Lindsey Sisk (2-1) earned the victory, tossing four strikeouts and giving up one run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings pitched. Freshman Lauren Ainsley played in her first career game, throwing 2/3 innings of relief. The right-hander gave up three earned runs on three hits and threw one strikeout.

"I thought Lindsey Sisk did a great job out there," Evans said. "She looked really comfortable in the circle, mowing down hitters and being really smart. She and Meagan, I thought called a really good game."

SHSU's Tomi Garrison (0-3) suffered the loss, giving up seven earned runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings in the circle and striking out three batters.

The Aggies will host their first of three tournaments, the Aggie Classic, this weekend starting with a 3 p.m. game vs. North Carolina State on Friday. All games this weekend will be broadcast on 95.1-3 The Zone HD, making it available on any smartphone or HD radio. Go to RadioAggieland.com for more information. To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to AggieAthletics.com.