#23 Softball Closes Out Aggie Classic With a Win

Sunday, February 15

College Station

12:15 PM

Texas A&M

7-3

Missouri State

6-4

Missouri State

Texas A&M

Feb 15, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The No. 23 Texas A&M softball team closed out the Aggie Classic with a 2-1 win over Missouri State, finishing the weekend at 4-1 and moving to 7-3 on the season.

The Aggies scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first. Sophomore April Ryan took her base on a four pitch walk and came speeding home on a blazing RBI single down the left field line from freshman Tori Vidales.

Missouri State managed to get a runner on base with a single shot to just into center field but the defense tightened up and sent the next three batter back to the dugout in quick fashion, with senior Rachel Fox notching her first two strikeouts of the day.

Two Aggies managed to find their way to the bags in the bottom of the second, freshman Ashley Walters on a single to left field and junior Alex Masek on a fielder's choice, but weren't able to capitalize and left Masek stranded in scoring position.

The Bears remained scoreless after the top of the third inning, leaving a runner on first after a single up the middle, after another impressive outing by the Aggie defense.

After two quick outs from the first two Aggie at-bats, junior Cali Lanphear headed to first after being walked. With junior Breanna Dozier at the plate, Lanphear made her way to second base and into scoring position on a wild pitch. A searing ball to center field resulted in an RBI single for Dozier after Lanphear sprinted to across home plate, giving the Aggies a 2-0 lead.

Neither team managed to get anything going on offense during the fourth inning, with the score remaining tied at 2-0 in favor of Texas A&M.

The Bears made their attempt at a comeback in the top of the fifth, scoring on a wild pitch that snuck past the Aggie catcher and chipping into the Aggies' lead at 2-1. Missouri State kept their momentum going into the bottom of the inning, as the Aggies went three up, three down.

Fox and the Aggie defense came out strong to open the sixth, as Fox earned two more Ks and Vidales getting under a pop up to send MSU down in order.

Another scoreless half inning for the Aggies closed out the sixth and gave the Bears the opportunity to extend the game in the top of the seventh.

Sophomore Celena Massey took her place behind home plate, relieving Walters, as A&M prepared to close out their fourth win of the weekend. With runners in scoring position and two outs, Fox fielded a ball hit right back at her for the final out to end the game. The senior pitcher finished the afternoon with six strikeouts in her second complete game of the weekend, throwing 74 strikes and facing only 29 batters.

The Aggies moved to 4-1 on the weekend and 7-3 on the season with six games on the docket for the next week.

Coach Evans Postgame Sound

“[Reagan Boenker] sure stepped up today. She's playing tough and, I got on her a little bit once early in the tournament, and after that she's gone hard for every ball. She's shown toughness and is diving like crazy. I'm really pleased to see her bounce back from last night.”

Let's Hear a Hullabaloo…
… for Rachel Fox. The senior pitcher threw two complete games on the weekend and sparked the Aggie defense to play lights out against MSU. Fox has a 4-2 record heading into a midweek game against No. 2 Oregon. Gig'em, Rachel!

Coach Evans on Rachel Fox:

“What a great weekend. She didn't deserve the loss last night, it was tough for her to get that. That's why this win was so nice, for her to gut it out and come away with the win. Only giving up five hits on the day and she spread them out well. She showed good leadership and, got a little frustrated in the inning where they scored, but bounced back and kept her composure. She's doing a good job being a leader and her presence on the mound means everything to this team.

Up Next
The Aggies will host a midweek game against No. 2 Oregon at 4:30 p.m. Every game at the Aggie Softball Complex during the 2015 season will be available to watch on SEC Network + or tune in live using the Radio Aggieland app to hear every pitch. Follow along with live stats at 12thMan.com and @AggieSoftball on Twitter for all the hits, pitches and everything in between during the 2015 softball season.