Friday, May 19
College Station
6:30 PM
Texas A&M
43-10
14
vs
0
Texas Southern
25-20
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Texas Southern
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
Texas A&M
3
0
8
3
X
14
11
0
Photo by: Thomas Campbell/Texas A&M Athletics
Texas A&M Overpowers Texas Southern, 14-0
May 19, 2017 | Softball
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M softball team defeated Texas Southern, 14-0, Friday night to open play at the NCAA College Station Regional at the Aggie Softball Complex.
The Aggies (43-10) struck quickly, scoring three two-out runs in the first. Tori Vidales reached on a walk and moved to third as Kristen Cuyos reached on an error. Following a walk by Ashley Walters, Riley Sartain soared a double off the wall in right center to clear the bases.
Texas A&M broke the game open with an eight-run third inning to lead 11-0. Show began the scoring with a two-RBI double, before Russell tripled to right, scoring Show and Hudek, who reached on an error. An RBI, infield single from Keeli Milligan pushed Russell across and Milligan later scored on a single up the middle by Kaitlyn Alderink. Walters capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly to left.
Cuyos added to the lead in the fourth with a three-run homer to left, her 11th of the season.
Lexi Smith recorded her 12th win of the season, tossing a complete-game two-hitter with nine strikeouts.
The Aggies will face Texas State, who defeated Texas, 1-0, in 12 innings, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Coverage of tomorrow's game can be seen on WatchESPN and the ESPN app, while the network affiliate is to be determined. The game can be heard locally on Willy 1550AM.
Tickets may be purchased at the Kyle Field or Reed Arena box offices, online at www.12thman.com/tickets or by phone at 888-99-AGGIE or 979-845-2311.
Texas A&M Athletics is committed to providing the 12th Man with the safest environment possible at its athletic venues. Be prepared on game day by reviewing the 12-1-1 Gig 'Em Rule. Visit www.12thman.com/beclear for all information regarding the clear bag policy.
Information regarding the NCAA Regional can be found online at www.12thMan.com/NCAASoftball.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
TEXAS A&M POST GAME QUOTES
GAME TWO – MAY 19, 2017
JO EVANS, HEAD COACH
Opening Statement…
"I feel really good about our ball club tonight. I wanted us to come out really aggressive. I wanted us looking to take extra bases and put some pressure on their defense. Offensively, I wanted us to get up there and attack and get our hacks. We took some walks but we weren't looking to walk. We were looking to hit. I'm really pleased at the energy that we gave out there. Our thought is to dominate. That's what we're thinking about right now if we're going to make a run in this post season. We're going to have to do that. I'm really proud of our kids and how they played and I thought Lexi Smith did a really nice job leading us on the mound."
On new lineup…
"I think we just needed to mix it up a little bit. Offensively, we were a little stagnant and I think these guys know that. Sometimes you just need a different, fresh look at things. It was great having Riley [Sartain] get up there in the first inning and get a big hit. It just shows that she is not caught up in whether she is going to hit in the three or four hole. I love seeing that. Kristen [Cuyos] stepped up in the four [hole] and gets a big home run. She had a good night at the plate. Keeli [Milligan] was a big key for us. We have talked about needing somebody to step up in the leadoff spot. Keeli looked like the Keeli of old. She was very aggressive at the plate and got her stolen bases. I thought that delay steal was something special that happened tonight and just the way she played the game. I am really pleased to have Kaitlyn Alderink back in the two hole. That is where she feels most comfortable. I am really superstitious and never liked taking her out of that spot, but we felt like we had to at one point. I like the way we mixed it up. If you look at it, it's a dangerous bottom of the order. It is pretty exciting to be able to look at that lineup card and know that six, seven, eight, and nine can really drive the ball."
On pitching...
"Lexi [Smith] hadn't thrown in a while. She has done such a great job for us. This kid has an 11-1 record and just made All-Region. She is someone we need out there on the field, and it is really nice to see her go out there and attack hitters. To me, the most important thing that happened all night was Lexi Smith going out there and looking like Lexi Smith. It was really great for our ball club. As far as tomorrow goes, I haven't made a decision. We will put our heads together and see how we match up and go from there, but this was huge for Lexi to get this start and be dominating on the mound. I think that really made a statement for her and our ball club. We know that we can count on her."
KRISTEN CUYOS, JUNIOR SS
On being back and playing tonight…
"I definitely feel myself again. I just wanted to be out there on the field with my team doing anything I could to help my team get the win."
LEXI SMITH, JUNIOR RHP
On her approach to the game tonight…
"I just really focused on getting ahead of the hitters, throwing my game, staying relaxed and getting ahead of batters and not throwing more pitches. That was pretty much the game plan and we stuck with it the whole game and it worked out pretty well.
On the importance of a start like this to get back in the swing of things…
"It was really important. I hadn't thrown in a while so I was really excited to get back out there and when Coach Evans told me I had the ball I was like "Let's go!" I was really loose and relaxed and I was ready to go and it helped a lot."
RILEY SARTAIN, SOPHOMORE 3B
On first home NCAA tournament…
"It was incredible [to play at home]. I was actually pretty surprised at the crowd that we had considering the first game ran so long. I think that our crowd was behind us the whole time and even though they were here for a few hours, I think they did really well."
On importance of this kind of win…
"I think this was exactly what we needed to move forward in the post season. I think that it is really easy to play loose when you have a pitcher that is dominating in the circle for you. Props to Lexi [Smith]. She did a really good job. It is really nice when you have a lead like that and it just allows you to take a step back and not press because you have nothing to worry about."
On Texas A&M's offense...
"I think we were really hitting the pitches we wanted to hit. We were being patient when it was time to be patient, and we were being aggressive when it was time to be aggressive. We knew we were going to get our pitch, so we were trying to not miss that pitch and hit it hard."
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY POST GAME QUOTES
GAME ONE – MAY 19, 2017
WORLEY BARKER, HEAD COACH
Opening statement…
"Tough loss. First inning, we had a couple of errors and we let some runners score. We felt like we had done better, earlier on, we may have had at least played a better game. I can't take anything away from A&M. They swing the bat extremely well, got some good hits. We just didn't play like we knew we had to play coming into this game, but I can't take anything away from them. They hit the ball well. They threw the ball well and they made plays when they needed to."
On if errors were caused by nerves…
"I think so. That's the only thing that I could think and absolutely, if we get out of that first inning 0-0, who knows what may happen? They still hit the ball well. They had nine plus hits or 10 hits. But, giving them three runs early on, that was a huge hill to overcome. Just nerves, just playing on the big stage and the fans I think also had something to do with it. There's no excuse. There's no reason for it. We practice that every day. The mistakes we made were simple mistakes that we just can't make those mistakes."
JASMIN FULMORE, JUNIOR P
On Texas A&M's big hits…
"The difference was, not going to take anything away from their great hitting team, I just probably left it on the plate a little too much. I needed a little harder break, also. So the pitches were there, I just needed to get the break a little bit tighter."
TERREN VINSON, FRESHMAN OF
On the team's energy…
"We had to get our energy up because we did wait a long time for their game. We were all really relaxed but then we had to come out with energy, which I think we did come out really solid, but those three runs really hurt us and we just couldn't get it back. Our bats will come alive tomorrow, so don't worry."
The Aggies (43-10) struck quickly, scoring three two-out runs in the first. Tori Vidales reached on a walk and moved to third as Kristen Cuyos reached on an error. Following a walk by Ashley Walters, Riley Sartain soared a double off the wall in right center to clear the bases.
Texas A&M broke the game open with an eight-run third inning to lead 11-0. Show began the scoring with a two-RBI double, before Russell tripled to right, scoring Show and Hudek, who reached on an error. An RBI, infield single from Keeli Milligan pushed Russell across and Milligan later scored on a single up the middle by Kaitlyn Alderink. Walters capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly to left.
Cuyos added to the lead in the fourth with a three-run homer to left, her 11th of the season.
Lexi Smith recorded her 12th win of the season, tossing a complete-game two-hitter with nine strikeouts.
The Aggies will face Texas State, who defeated Texas, 1-0, in 12 innings, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Coverage of tomorrow's game can be seen on WatchESPN and the ESPN app, while the network affiliate is to be determined. The game can be heard locally on Willy 1550AM.
Tickets may be purchased at the Kyle Field or Reed Arena box offices, online at www.12thman.com/tickets or by phone at 888-99-AGGIE or 979-845-2311.
Texas A&M Athletics is committed to providing the 12th Man with the safest environment possible at its athletic venues. Be prepared on game day by reviewing the 12-1-1 Gig 'Em Rule. Visit www.12thman.com/beclear for all information regarding the clear bag policy.
Information regarding the NCAA Regional can be found online at www.12thMan.com/NCAASoftball.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
TEXAS A&M POST GAME QUOTES
GAME TWO – MAY 19, 2017
JO EVANS, HEAD COACH
Opening Statement…
"I feel really good about our ball club tonight. I wanted us to come out really aggressive. I wanted us looking to take extra bases and put some pressure on their defense. Offensively, I wanted us to get up there and attack and get our hacks. We took some walks but we weren't looking to walk. We were looking to hit. I'm really pleased at the energy that we gave out there. Our thought is to dominate. That's what we're thinking about right now if we're going to make a run in this post season. We're going to have to do that. I'm really proud of our kids and how they played and I thought Lexi Smith did a really nice job leading us on the mound."
On new lineup…
"I think we just needed to mix it up a little bit. Offensively, we were a little stagnant and I think these guys know that. Sometimes you just need a different, fresh look at things. It was great having Riley [Sartain] get up there in the first inning and get a big hit. It just shows that she is not caught up in whether she is going to hit in the three or four hole. I love seeing that. Kristen [Cuyos] stepped up in the four [hole] and gets a big home run. She had a good night at the plate. Keeli [Milligan] was a big key for us. We have talked about needing somebody to step up in the leadoff spot. Keeli looked like the Keeli of old. She was very aggressive at the plate and got her stolen bases. I thought that delay steal was something special that happened tonight and just the way she played the game. I am really pleased to have Kaitlyn Alderink back in the two hole. That is where she feels most comfortable. I am really superstitious and never liked taking her out of that spot, but we felt like we had to at one point. I like the way we mixed it up. If you look at it, it's a dangerous bottom of the order. It is pretty exciting to be able to look at that lineup card and know that six, seven, eight, and nine can really drive the ball."
On pitching...
"Lexi [Smith] hadn't thrown in a while. She has done such a great job for us. This kid has an 11-1 record and just made All-Region. She is someone we need out there on the field, and it is really nice to see her go out there and attack hitters. To me, the most important thing that happened all night was Lexi Smith going out there and looking like Lexi Smith. It was really great for our ball club. As far as tomorrow goes, I haven't made a decision. We will put our heads together and see how we match up and go from there, but this was huge for Lexi to get this start and be dominating on the mound. I think that really made a statement for her and our ball club. We know that we can count on her."
KRISTEN CUYOS, JUNIOR SS
On being back and playing tonight…
"I definitely feel myself again. I just wanted to be out there on the field with my team doing anything I could to help my team get the win."
LEXI SMITH, JUNIOR RHP
On her approach to the game tonight…
"I just really focused on getting ahead of the hitters, throwing my game, staying relaxed and getting ahead of batters and not throwing more pitches. That was pretty much the game plan and we stuck with it the whole game and it worked out pretty well.
On the importance of a start like this to get back in the swing of things…
"It was really important. I hadn't thrown in a while so I was really excited to get back out there and when Coach Evans told me I had the ball I was like "Let's go!" I was really loose and relaxed and I was ready to go and it helped a lot."
RILEY SARTAIN, SOPHOMORE 3B
On first home NCAA tournament…
"It was incredible [to play at home]. I was actually pretty surprised at the crowd that we had considering the first game ran so long. I think that our crowd was behind us the whole time and even though they were here for a few hours, I think they did really well."
On importance of this kind of win…
"I think this was exactly what we needed to move forward in the post season. I think that it is really easy to play loose when you have a pitcher that is dominating in the circle for you. Props to Lexi [Smith]. She did a really good job. It is really nice when you have a lead like that and it just allows you to take a step back and not press because you have nothing to worry about."
On Texas A&M's offense...
"I think we were really hitting the pitches we wanted to hit. We were being patient when it was time to be patient, and we were being aggressive when it was time to be aggressive. We knew we were going to get our pitch, so we were trying to not miss that pitch and hit it hard."
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY POST GAME QUOTES
GAME ONE – MAY 19, 2017
WORLEY BARKER, HEAD COACH
Opening statement…
"Tough loss. First inning, we had a couple of errors and we let some runners score. We felt like we had done better, earlier on, we may have had at least played a better game. I can't take anything away from A&M. They swing the bat extremely well, got some good hits. We just didn't play like we knew we had to play coming into this game, but I can't take anything away from them. They hit the ball well. They threw the ball well and they made plays when they needed to."
On if errors were caused by nerves…
"I think so. That's the only thing that I could think and absolutely, if we get out of that first inning 0-0, who knows what may happen? They still hit the ball well. They had nine plus hits or 10 hits. But, giving them three runs early on, that was a huge hill to overcome. Just nerves, just playing on the big stage and the fans I think also had something to do with it. There's no excuse. There's no reason for it. We practice that every day. The mistakes we made were simple mistakes that we just can't make those mistakes."
JASMIN FULMORE, JUNIOR P
On Texas A&M's big hits…
"The difference was, not going to take anything away from their great hitting team, I just probably left it on the plate a little too much. I needed a little harder break, also. So the pitches were there, I just needed to get the break a little bit tighter."
TERREN VINSON, FRESHMAN OF
On the team's energy…
"We had to get our energy up because we did wait a long time for their game. We were all really relaxed but then we had to come out with energy, which I think we did come out really solid, but those three runs really hurt us and we just couldn't get it back. Our bats will come alive tomorrow, so don't worry."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Lexi (12-1)
L: Jasmin Fulmore (11-5)
Batting:
SH: Dominique Tello 1
Base Running:
SB: Terren Vinson 1
Batting:
2B: Sartain, Riley 1 ; Fortenberry, Kelbi 1 ; Show, Samantha 1
3B: Russell, Erica 1
HR: Cuyos, Kristen 1
RBI: Alderink, Kaitlyn 1 ; Cuyos, Kristen 3 ; Walters, Ashley 1 ; Sartain, Riley 3 ; Show, Samantha 2 ; Russell, Erica 2
SH: Russell, Erica 1
SF: Walters, Ashley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Milligan, Keeli 2 ; Alderink, Kaitlyn 2 ; Vidales, Tori 2 ; Cuyos, Kristen 2 ; Walters, Ashley 1 ; Fritsch, Blake-Ann 1 ; Sartain, Riley 1 ; Hudek, Sarah 1 ; Show, Samantha 1 ; Russell, Erica 1
SB: Milligan, Keeli 2 ; Cuyos, Kristen 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
1
AB
2
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
IF
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IF
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P
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