No. 9 Texas A&M Drops Game Two at No. 18 Alabama, 10-4

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 9 Texas A&M softball team fell to No. 18 Alabama, 10-4, Saturday at Rhoads Stadium.
 
The Aggies (40-14, 13-10 SEC) jumped out to an early lead scoring two unearned runs in the first, but Alabama (31-17, 11-12 SEC) quickly responded with three home runs in the first two innings to claim the lead.
 
The Aggies outhit the Crimson Tide, 11-8, and were led by Kelbi Fortenberry, who went 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Sarah Hudek, Tori Vidales and Samantha Show also recorded multi-hit games.
 
Samantha Show was saddled with the loss, giving up four runs on four hits in one inning of work. Kayla Poynter tossed three innings of relief giving up three runs on two hits and five walks. Payton McBride closed out the game, throwing two innings, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks.
 
Courtney Gettins earned the win, tossing a complete game giving up 11 hits and four runs with two strikeouts.
  KEY INNINGS

T1 | Texas A&M drew first blood, scoring two unearned runs with two outs. After Tori Vidales reached on an error, Ashley Walters singled to left before Kelbi Fortenberry loaded the bases with a bunt single. Samantha Show delivered a single up the middle, plating Vidales and Walters. A&M 2, UA 0
 
B1 | Alabama took the lead in the bottom half of the first on a two-run homer from Kaylee Tow and a solo dinger from Bailey Hemphill. UA 3, A&M 2
 
B2 | The Tide doubled its lead as Reagan Dykes hit a solo home run to right center. UA 4, A&M 2
 
T3 | Sarah Hudek led off the inning with a double to left and later scored on a two-out single from Kelbi Fortenberry. UA 4, A&M 3
 
B4 | Alabama added three runs in the fourth on a RBI single from Gabby Callaway and a two-RBI triple from Sydney Booker. UA 7, A&M 3
 
T5 | Fortenberry delivered her second RBI of the game on a two-out single to center, driving in Vidales, who doubled with one out. UA 7, A&M 4
 
B6 | The Crimson Tide supplemented their lead with three insurance runs in the sixth on a two-RBI single from Sydney Booker and a RBI double from Dykes. UA 10, A&M 4
   
Top Offensive Players:
Kelbi Fortenberry | 3-for-3, 2 RBI
Samantha Show | 2-for-2, 2 RBI
Sarah Hudek | 2-for-4, 2B, R
Tori Vidales | 2-for-4, 2 2B, R
 
 
Pitching Breakdown:
Samantha Show | L, 1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB
Kayla Poynter | 3.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, K
Payton McBride | 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB
  AGGIE NOTES
 

• Tori Vidales recorded her 236^th career hit with her third inning double, passing Josie Carter (1982-1985) for third all-time in program history.

  WHAT THEY SAID
 
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On today's game…
"I was really pleased with our kids getting two runs in the first inning with two outs. We have to be better on the mound. We weren't effective today, and that is the difference in the ball game. All those walks are going to come back to haunt you. They did a nice job with their timely hitting and hitting the ball out of the yard. We didn't do a good job of putting something together offensively and taking that on the mound with us."
 
On Kelbi Fortenberry's performance…
"She looks so good at the plate. She looks comfortable. We had to put her up in the five spot in the lineup, and she stepped up to the challenge. She lays down the bunt in the first inning and gets two RBI. She is nails out there with two outs or two strikes. She is aggressive. I like the way she is swinging the bat."
  ON DECK 
The Aggies and Crimson Tide close out the series Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
  STAY CONNECTED
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