COLLEGE STATION – No. 18 Texas A&M will host No. 1 Florida for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Aggie Softball Complex.
"We think we match up well with them," head coach Jo Evans said. "We have had success at home. We have beaten good teams here. I like our chances. We aren't going into this saying we are going to sweep them, we are going in there wanting to play great. We have nothing to lose. I think we have a chance to beat Florida."
A&M (34-14, 6-12 SEC) is coming off a 6-3 victory at Texas State Wednesday, in which the Aggies broke two school records. A&M surpassed the 2013 mark of 366 runs, and freshman Keeli Milligan eclipsed Sharonda McDonald's stolen base record of 48 set in 2005.
At the top of the lineup, Milligan is hitting .379 with her nation-leading 50 steals. Sophomore Tori Vidales is tied with sophomore Kristen Cuyos in home runs with 13 while driving in 48 runs. Cuyos and senior Cali Lanphear lead the Aggies with 50 RBI.
In the circle, freshman Samantha Show is 21-8 with a 3.46 ERA and 146 strikeouts. Show's 21 wins are tied for the most in the SEC with Georgia's Chelsea Wilkinson. Sophomore Trinity Harrington is 6-5 with a 3.46 ERA and senior Katie Marks is 7-0 with a 3.57 ERA.
In the last 10 games, freshman Kaitlyn Alderink is hitting .581 (18-for-31) with 10 runs scored, a double, one home run and six RBI along with three stolen bases. In conference play, Alderink is third on the team in batting average at .382 with a team-high 19 runs.
Florida is currently 45-3 (15-3 SEC) on the season and is led by Kayli Kvistad, who is hitting .427 on the year with a team-high 11 home runs and 53 RBI. Aleshia Ocasio is 16-1 on the season with a 0.65 ERA, while Delanie Gourley is 15-2 with a 0.68 ERA. Kelly Barnhill holds a 14-0 mark with a 1.29 ERA.
Following Sunday's game, the Aggies will honor its four seniors, Breanna Dozier, Cali Lanphear, Katie Marks and Alex Masek.
"The one thing I love about Senior Day is that we still have games left to play after that, so it isn't too sad," Evans said. "These are four kids who have given their heart and soul to our program. I know they are sad to be leaving, but they have done so much for our program. They have been a part of a lot wins here, and they have given everything they can for us."
Friday and Sunday's contests will be broadcast on the SEC Network +, available through WatchESPN and the ESPN app, while Saturday's game can be seen on the SEC Network. All three games can be heard locally on KWBC 1550 AM or online at www.RadioAggieland.com.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
"We think we match up well with them," head coach Jo Evans said. "We have had success at home. We have beaten good teams here. I like our chances. We aren't going into this saying we are going to sweep them, we are going in there wanting to play great. We have nothing to lose. I think we have a chance to beat Florida."
A&M (34-14, 6-12 SEC) is coming off a 6-3 victory at Texas State Wednesday, in which the Aggies broke two school records. A&M surpassed the 2013 mark of 366 runs, and freshman Keeli Milligan eclipsed Sharonda McDonald's stolen base record of 48 set in 2005.
At the top of the lineup, Milligan is hitting .379 with her nation-leading 50 steals. Sophomore Tori Vidales is tied with sophomore Kristen Cuyos in home runs with 13 while driving in 48 runs. Cuyos and senior Cali Lanphear lead the Aggies with 50 RBI.
In the circle, freshman Samantha Show is 21-8 with a 3.46 ERA and 146 strikeouts. Show's 21 wins are tied for the most in the SEC with Georgia's Chelsea Wilkinson. Sophomore Trinity Harrington is 6-5 with a 3.46 ERA and senior Katie Marks is 7-0 with a 3.57 ERA.
In the last 10 games, freshman Kaitlyn Alderink is hitting .581 (18-for-31) with 10 runs scored, a double, one home run and six RBI along with three stolen bases. In conference play, Alderink is third on the team in batting average at .382 with a team-high 19 runs.
Florida is currently 45-3 (15-3 SEC) on the season and is led by Kayli Kvistad, who is hitting .427 on the year with a team-high 11 home runs and 53 RBI. Aleshia Ocasio is 16-1 on the season with a 0.65 ERA, while Delanie Gourley is 15-2 with a 0.68 ERA. Kelly Barnhill holds a 14-0 mark with a 1.29 ERA.
Following Sunday's game, the Aggies will honor its four seniors, Breanna Dozier, Cali Lanphear, Katie Marks and Alex Masek.
"The one thing I love about Senior Day is that we still have games left to play after that, so it isn't too sad," Evans said. "These are four kids who have given their heart and soul to our program. I know they are sad to be leaving, but they have done so much for our program. They have been a part of a lot wins here, and they have given everything they can for us."
Friday and Sunday's contests will be broadcast on the SEC Network +, available through WatchESPN and the ESPN app, while Saturday's game can be seen on the SEC Network. All three games can be heard locally on KWBC 1550 AM or online at www.RadioAggieland.com.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.