COLLEGE STATION – The No. 7 Texas A&M softball team swept day two of the A&M invite Saturday, defeating Texas State, 6-3, before Trinity Harrington stymied Utah, 1-0, with a one-hit performance at the Aggie Softball Complex.
In game two, Harrington faced just 21 batters en route to a complete game shutout where she allowed only one hit and no walks, just shy of a perfect game. The Greely, Colo., native, tossed a three-pitch sixth inning and didn't allow a single runner until two batters into the seventh inning to record the second one-hitter of her senior campaign.
Utah's pitcher, Miranda Viramontes, kept the Aggies at bay for most of the game but one-run proved to be all Texas A&M needed to take down the Utes. That run came when Kaitlyn Alderink delivered a double to center field in a 10-pitch at bat and came around to score on an Ashley Walters single through the left side.
Earlier in the day against Texas State, the Aggies struck first in the second inning as Ashley Walters singled up the middle and came around to score on a Riley Sartain double and Payton McBride RBI groundout.
Texas State tied the game at one with a walk, sac bunt and single in the third inning but the Aggies responded by putting up four runs in the bottom half of the inning, giving them a 5-1 advantage.
Keeli Milligan and Tori Vidales reached base on an infield single and fielder's choice, respectively. Ashley Walters cleared the bases with a 3-run bomb over the left field wall, her second of the season. On the very next pitch, Sartain followed suit with a solo shot of her own to left.
In the fifth inning, Milligan singled to left field and was plated by a RBI single from Vidales. The senior's RBI marks the 184th of her career, moving her into second place in the record books, passing Megan Gibson (2005-08).
Texas State fought back in the sixth inning and cut the Aggies' lead to three with a two-run home run by Haleigh Davis.
Maddie MacGrandle got the start for the Aggies as she allowed two hits, one run and walked four in 2.2 innings. Samantha Show earned the win to move to 5-2 this season. The junior recorded one strikeout and only allowed two walks, four hits and two runs in 4.1 innings of work.
Top Offensive Players:
Ashley Walters | 3-for-6, HR, 4 RBI
Riley Sartain | 2-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Maddie MacGrandle (4-0, 1.35 ERA) – 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB
Samantha Show (5-2, 2.90 ERA) – W, 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, K, 2 BB
Trinity Harrington (4-1, 0.97 ERA) – W, 7.0 IP, H, 0 R, 8 K, 0 BB
Aggie Notes:
WHAT THEY SAID
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On Trinity Harrington…
"She only faced 21 batters. She was phenomenal. It was just masterful watching her and the way she pitched, threw strikes early and hit her spots. She really kept her cool out there. She didn't panic that she had a perfect game going into that ground ball. I can't say enough about Trinity. She is so composed on the mound. I just thought she was so relaxed today. I know she likes being at home, and she likes this infield. Utah was very aggressive at the plate, but they kind of played into what she wanted to do. I think she is a mature kid who wants the ball, but is also truly the biggest fan of pitchers when someone else has the ball. It is really fun to coach that kid. She is a team player. She gets ahead of every batter. She didn't even come close to walking anybody today, and that is the name of the game."
On Ashley Walters…
"She has been nails. I can't count how many times this season she has had the opportunity to give us the winning run with the winning RBI. Ashley has been finding a hole out there, but you will see her hitting all of the field. She wants to be up there. She looked very comfortable at the plate. She is not anxious at all, and is just looking for something to drive. We have been able to count on her as well as anybody on our team."
On Riley Sartain…
"When she got that hit last night, I said hey let's take that into tomorrow. Once that kid gets comfortable, she is deadly. I was happy to see her looking a lot more comfortable today. That pitcher is tricky, but I thought she stroked the ball well. Riley also defensively had a much better day. She was off the line better and reading the balls of the bat. She made some great plays today. I thought she looked good today."
ON DECK
The Aggies wrap up play in the A&M Invite at 12:15 PM against Louisiana Tech on Sunday at the Aggie Softball Complex.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow the Aggies wherever they go by following @AggieSoftball on Instagram and Twitter or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TAMUSoftball.
In game two, Harrington faced just 21 batters en route to a complete game shutout where she allowed only one hit and no walks, just shy of a perfect game. The Greely, Colo., native, tossed a three-pitch sixth inning and didn't allow a single runner until two batters into the seventh inning to record the second one-hitter of her senior campaign.
Utah's pitcher, Miranda Viramontes, kept the Aggies at bay for most of the game but one-run proved to be all Texas A&M needed to take down the Utes. That run came when Kaitlyn Alderink delivered a double to center field in a 10-pitch at bat and came around to score on an Ashley Walters single through the left side.
Earlier in the day against Texas State, the Aggies struck first in the second inning as Ashley Walters singled up the middle and came around to score on a Riley Sartain double and Payton McBride RBI groundout.
Texas State tied the game at one with a walk, sac bunt and single in the third inning but the Aggies responded by putting up four runs in the bottom half of the inning, giving them a 5-1 advantage.
Keeli Milligan and Tori Vidales reached base on an infield single and fielder's choice, respectively. Ashley Walters cleared the bases with a 3-run bomb over the left field wall, her second of the season. On the very next pitch, Sartain followed suit with a solo shot of her own to left.
In the fifth inning, Milligan singled to left field and was plated by a RBI single from Vidales. The senior's RBI marks the 184th of her career, moving her into second place in the record books, passing Megan Gibson (2005-08).
Texas State fought back in the sixth inning and cut the Aggies' lead to three with a two-run home run by Haleigh Davis.
Maddie MacGrandle got the start for the Aggies as she allowed two hits, one run and walked four in 2.2 innings. Samantha Show earned the win to move to 5-2 this season. The junior recorded one strikeout and only allowed two walks, four hits and two runs in 4.1 innings of work.
Ashley Walters | 3-for-6, HR, 4 RBI
Riley Sartain | 2-for-5, 2B, HR, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Maddie MacGrandle (4-0, 1.35 ERA) – 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB
Samantha Show (5-2, 2.90 ERA) – W, 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, K, 2 BB
Trinity Harrington (4-1, 0.97 ERA) – W, 7.0 IP, H, 0 R, 8 K, 0 BB
- Sarah Hudek has reached safely in 18 out of the last 19 games.
- Ashley Walters makes her way into the record books for 10th all-time in career RBI with 141, passing Jamie Hinshaw (2005-08).
- Trinity Harrington recorded a personal and team season-high eight strikeouts in game two as she recorded her third shutout of the season.
- Keeli Milligan recorded her fourth multi-SB game of the season and is now 12-for-13 on the season, which leads the team.
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On Trinity Harrington…
"She only faced 21 batters. She was phenomenal. It was just masterful watching her and the way she pitched, threw strikes early and hit her spots. She really kept her cool out there. She didn't panic that she had a perfect game going into that ground ball. I can't say enough about Trinity. She is so composed on the mound. I just thought she was so relaxed today. I know she likes being at home, and she likes this infield. Utah was very aggressive at the plate, but they kind of played into what she wanted to do. I think she is a mature kid who wants the ball, but is also truly the biggest fan of pitchers when someone else has the ball. It is really fun to coach that kid. She is a team player. She gets ahead of every batter. She didn't even come close to walking anybody today, and that is the name of the game."
On Ashley Walters…
"She has been nails. I can't count how many times this season she has had the opportunity to give us the winning run with the winning RBI. Ashley has been finding a hole out there, but you will see her hitting all of the field. She wants to be up there. She looked very comfortable at the plate. She is not anxious at all, and is just looking for something to drive. We have been able to count on her as well as anybody on our team."
On Riley Sartain…
"When she got that hit last night, I said hey let's take that into tomorrow. Once that kid gets comfortable, she is deadly. I was happy to see her looking a lot more comfortable today. That pitcher is tricky, but I thought she stroked the ball well. Riley also defensively had a much better day. She was off the line better and reading the balls of the bat. She made some great plays today. I thought she looked good today."
The Aggies wrap up play in the A&M Invite at 12:15 PM against Louisiana Tech on Sunday at the Aggie Softball Complex.
Fans can follow the Aggies wherever they go by following @AggieSoftball on Instagram and Twitter or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TAMUSoftball.