Softball's Season Ends in NCAA Regional Final

Sunday, May 17

Norman, OK

2:30 PM

Texas A&M

40-20

Oklahoma

48-7

Oklahoma

Texas A&M

May 17, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The No. 24/25 Texas A&M softball team's (40-20) season was cut short early by 11-seed Oklahoma (48-7) on Championship Sunday at the Norman Regional.

This marks the Aggies' 26th trip to the postseason, including 14 straight under Head Coach Jo Evans who has now coached Texas A&M to seven 40-win seasons in nine years. Four Aggie seniors ended their careers today – Lauren Ainsley, Brittany Clopton, Rachel Fox and Sara Mireles.

Senior Rachel Fox led the Aggies in the circle for the final time in her career, allowing two earned runs in the finale to her most prolific senior season.

The Sooners grabbed a lead in the top of the first, scoring on an RBI single to deep center field.

The Aggies threatened in the bottom of the fourth, putting runners in scoring positions after juniors Breanna Dozier and Cali Lanphear each drew full count walk, advancing on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Ashley Walters. The Sooner defense shut down the Aggie attack with consecutive outs, ending the pressure and heading back out on offense.

Fox got A&M out of two separate bases-loaded jams, one each in the top of the third and fifth.

After five scoreless innings, Oklahoma padded their lead by one after an RBI single to right field sent a runner on second base speeding home.

Texas A&M wasn't down for the count, going on the attack in the bottom of the sixth and making the Sooners sweat. Ryan led off with a single to center field, followed by a base hit to shallow right field from Lanphear. With two runners on and only one gone, Walters was hit by a pitch and took her base, with freshman Erin Houthoofd entering to run. Oklahoma and pitcher Paige Parker buckled down and sent the next two Aggie offerings back to the dugout to close the inning.

The solo run in the sixth would prove to be enough for the Sooners, who advanced to the Super Regional level for the sixth straight season.

Coach Evans Postgame Sound
"I'm really proud of our ball club. I thought we fought really hard this weekend and played well. We gave ourselves some chances to win the ball game and couldn't get it done. I thought Rachel Fox was terrific on the mound, she threw a great game today and yesterday. Oklahoma has a potent offense and to keep them to ten hits and keep the ball in the yard, continue getting big outs which speaks volumes to her competitiveness and fight on the mound. I'm proud of our ball club. We're really disappointed to come here and not win this regional, we certainly had a chance but just couldn't get it done."

Let's Hear a Hullabaloo…

…for a great season. With an inexperienced infield and the loss of a strong, eight-member senior class, this Aggie softball team defied expectations and played themselves into the Region championship. After a 12-12 showing in SEC play, the first .500 year since joining in 2012-13, A&M earned an eight seed to the conference tourney and a two seed in the NCAA Norman Regional. Gig 'em, ladies, for another great season!

Coach Evans on the season:

"To get a 40 win season with all of the inexperience on our team, I don't know that anyone would have guessed it. I'm really proud of this ball club. I think 40 wins is something we can do every year and I'm just proud of our team and staff."