COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M Softball team swept McLennan CC, 3-0 and 12-1, behind strong performances from all four Aggie pitchers Wednesday evening at the Aggie Softball Complex.
"I was pleased with the pitchers all day, in particular in the first game where they were very efficient," head coach Jo Evans said. "Trinity [Harrington] got in a little bit of trouble, but Lexi Smith did such a nice job to come in relief and shut that inning down. That could have been the difference in the game because we were struggling a little offensively. I'm very pleased to see how we are working together as a staff. I think the pitchers are complimenting each other as they go in in their rotations. In the second game, we were seeing our kids get comfortable and doing a better job of taking walks. In the first game, I thought we got a little anxious on some 3-1 counts and swung at some pitches out of the zone, but in the second game, we did a better job with that. We just continued to put pressure on them and I think we were able to wear them down a bit and break through. I thought McLennan played very well, and I was very impressed with them. I'm pleased with our progress. All in all, it was a good night for us."
In game one, junior hurlers Trinity Harrington and Lexi Smith combined to no-hit the Highlassies. Harrington went 4.1 innings, striking out seven while walking two. Smith came out in relief, closing the door on McLennan with six strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work. The Aggies took an early 1-0 advantage in the first on an Ashley Walters RBI double, plating Tori Vidales, who reached on a walk. Freshman Sarah Hudek added to the lead with her third homer of the fall, a two-run dinger to right center, scoring Erin Houthoofd.
In the nightcap, Walters again got the Aggies out to a lead in the first with a sacrifice fly to right. Vidales tripled the lead with a two-run homer to left, scoring Keeli Milligan. The Aggies tacked on two runs in the fifth on a wild pitch and a bases-loaded walk.
Freshmen Blake-Ann Fritsch and Kelbi Fortenberry led off the sixth inning with back-to-back singles to center. Vidales singled to left field and advanced to third on a throwing error, which allowed Fritsch and Fortenberry to cross the plate, giving the Aggies a 7-1 lead.
Vidales scored on a throwing error by the first baseman on a Hudek fielder's choice. Senior Reagan Boenker singled to left field and advanced to second on the throw, driving in pinch runner, Erica Russell. Payton McBride capped off the inning with a single to right, plating Hudek and Boenker.
McBride earned the win after throwing four innings, giving up only one hit, while striking out six. Samantha Show earned the save, striking out four in three innings of work.
The Aggies return to action Nov. 5 with a doubleheader versus Stephen F. Austin at the Aggie Softball Complex. Game one is scheduled to begin at noon.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
"I was pleased with the pitchers all day, in particular in the first game where they were very efficient," head coach Jo Evans said. "Trinity [Harrington] got in a little bit of trouble, but Lexi Smith did such a nice job to come in relief and shut that inning down. That could have been the difference in the game because we were struggling a little offensively. I'm very pleased to see how we are working together as a staff. I think the pitchers are complimenting each other as they go in in their rotations. In the second game, we were seeing our kids get comfortable and doing a better job of taking walks. In the first game, I thought we got a little anxious on some 3-1 counts and swung at some pitches out of the zone, but in the second game, we did a better job with that. We just continued to put pressure on them and I think we were able to wear them down a bit and break through. I thought McLennan played very well, and I was very impressed with them. I'm pleased with our progress. All in all, it was a good night for us."
In game one, junior hurlers Trinity Harrington and Lexi Smith combined to no-hit the Highlassies. Harrington went 4.1 innings, striking out seven while walking two. Smith came out in relief, closing the door on McLennan with six strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work. The Aggies took an early 1-0 advantage in the first on an Ashley Walters RBI double, plating Tori Vidales, who reached on a walk. Freshman Sarah Hudek added to the lead with her third homer of the fall, a two-run dinger to right center, scoring Erin Houthoofd.
In the nightcap, Walters again got the Aggies out to a lead in the first with a sacrifice fly to right. Vidales tripled the lead with a two-run homer to left, scoring Keeli Milligan. The Aggies tacked on two runs in the fifth on a wild pitch and a bases-loaded walk.
Freshmen Blake-Ann Fritsch and Kelbi Fortenberry led off the sixth inning with back-to-back singles to center. Vidales singled to left field and advanced to third on a throwing error, which allowed Fritsch and Fortenberry to cross the plate, giving the Aggies a 7-1 lead.
Vidales scored on a throwing error by the first baseman on a Hudek fielder's choice. Senior Reagan Boenker singled to left field and advanced to second on the throw, driving in pinch runner, Erica Russell. Payton McBride capped off the inning with a single to right, plating Hudek and Boenker.
McBride earned the win after throwing four innings, giving up only one hit, while striking out six. Samantha Show earned the save, striking out four in three innings of work.
The Aggies return to action Nov. 5 with a doubleheader versus Stephen F. Austin at the Aggie Softball Complex. Game one is scheduled to begin at noon.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.