Ashley Walters Breaks Career Doubles Record in Series Opener at No. 18 Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Texas A&M senior catcher Ashley Walters broke the school's career doubles record Friday night as the ninth-ranked Aggies fell to No. 18 Alabama, 6-2, at Rhoads Stadium.
 
The 49^th two-bagger of the Center Point, Texas, native's career occurred in the first inning as Walters plated the game's first run with a hard shot into left, giving the Aggies a 1-0 advantage. Walters surpasses Jennifer McFalls (1991-94) and Megan Gibson (2005-08).
 
Tori Vidales recorded a RBI double in the second as Keeli Milligan singled in the fourth for the Aggies' third hit of the game. Texas A&M (40-13, 13-9 SEC) earned five walks and had two batters hit by a pitch but stranded eight runners on base in the game.
 
Trinity Harrington suffered the loss, giving up six runs, five earned, on six hits with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Payton McBride threw 1.2 innings of relief, allowing just one run with a strikeout.
 
Alexis Osorio earned the win with a three-hit complete game. The senior gave up three hits, two runs and five walks with eight strikeouts.
 
With the loss, Texas A&M remains in fourth in the SEC standings with two games remaining. The Aggies are tied with Tennessee and trail South Carolina by one game. Texas A&M owns the tiebreaker over both teams.
  KEY INNINGS

T1 | Sarah Hudek and Tori Vidales each recorded back-to-back one-out walks before Ashley Walters' record-breaking double which scored Hudek. A&M 1, UA 0
 
B1 | Alabama quickly responded with a three-run homer from Bailey Hemphill. UA 3, A&M 1
 
T2 | The Aggies cut the deficit in half as Erica Russell was hit by a pitch and touched home on a Vidales double down the left field line. UA 3, A&M 2
 
B2 | The Crimson Tide answered with an unearned run as Schroder scored on a throwing error. UA 4, A&M 2
 
B5 | Alabama added two runs in the fifth on a Demi Turner single up the middle and a sacrifice fly from Hemphill. UA 6, A&M 2
   
Top Offensive Players:
Tori Vidales | 1-for-2, 2B, RBI, 2 BB
Ashley Walters | 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Keeli Milligan | 1-for-3, BB
 
 
Pitching Breakdown:
Trinity Harrington | L, 4.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Payton McBride | 1.2 IP, H, K
  AGGIE NOTES
 

• Ashley Walters broke the school's career doubles record, surpassing Jennifer McFalls (1991-94) and Megan Gibson (2005-08).
• Walters is tied for sixth all-time in career RBI at 159 with Nicole Morgan (2011-14).
• Tori Vidales' double in the second inning was the 235^th of her career, tying her with Josie Carter (1982-85) for third all-time.

  WHAT THEY SAID
 
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On tonight's game…
"I thought Alabama came out and played well. They were attacking pitches. They didn't swing at a lot of pitches out of the zone. We need to be better making our adjustments and two-strike hitting. We were making the same mistake where we were swinging underneath the ball. In your mind, you have to make that adjustment."
 
On the missed opportunities…
"We did a good job of setting the table. We took some free passes early. We were right where we needed to be. We had a throwaway at bat, and Kelbi Fortenberry went up and tagged that ball it was just right at someone. We you have those opportunities to score and chase the pitcher, you need to be able to capitalize. We didn't do a good job of that."
  ON DECK 
The Aggies return to action Saturday for game two of the series at 12 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on the SEC Network or heard locally on Willy 1550 AM.
  STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow the Aggies wherever they go by following @AggieSoftball on Instagram and Twitter or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TAMUSoftball.