Friday, March 16
College Station
3 p.m.
Texas A&M
25-4
7
vs
0
Marist
8-12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Marist
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
Texas A&M
1
0
2
1
3
0
X
7
8
0
Photo by: Texas A&M Athletics
No. 7 Texas A&M Blanks Marist and UConn
Mar 16, 2018 | Softball
COLLEGE STATION – The No. 7 Texas A&M softball team swept day two of the Reveille Classic as they defeated Marist, 7-0, and UConn, 4-0, Friday at the Aggie Softball Complex.
The Aggie (26-4) offense exploded for five home runs on the day and A&M's pitching staff stymied both offenses with 10-strikeout performances by Lexi Smith and Trinity Harrington.
In game one against Marist (8-12), the Aggies drew blood early in the first inning as Tori Vidales reached base on a fielder's choice and was plated by an Ashley Walters double, the 45th of her career. Walters is now tied for fifth in program history in doubles with Natalie Villarreal (2008-12).
The Maroon & White added to the lead in the third when Riley Sartain blasted a two-run home run over the right field wall scoring Vidales.
In the fourth inning, Samantha Show singled to left field and Kylie George, who pinch ran for Show, came around to touch home on an error by the second baseman.
Texas A&M blew the game open and showed their power in the fifth as Sarah Hudek, Kristen Cuyos and Show hit three consecutive homers to conclude scoring for the Aggies and give them a 7-0 lead.
In the circle, Lexi Smith earned the win as she struck out a season-high 10 batters and allowed only one walk and one hit. Freshman Kayla Poynter made her debut in an Aggie uniform as she threw two innings in relief, allowing one walk, two hits and fanning four.
In the nightcap, the Aggies relied on a four-run third inning to defeat the Huskies (11-16). Erica Russell led off with a double to right, followed by a walk to Kaitlyn Alderink. Walters delivered an RBI single down the right field line to score Russell. Sartain followed with a three-run blast, her team-high seventh of the season, to cap off the frame.
Trinity Harrington threw her fifth shutout of the season, while not allowing a base runner until the seventh inning. The senior tied her career-high in strikeouts with 10 and only gave up one hit.
Top Offensive Players:
Riley Sartain | 3-for-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, BB
Erica Russell | 3-for-4, 2B, R, BB
Pitching Breakdown:
Lexi Smith (5-0, 0.92 ERA) – W, 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 10 K, 1 BB
Trinity Harrington (8-1, 1.36 ERA) – W, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 10 K, 0 BB
Kayla Poynter (0-0, 0.00 ERA) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K, 1 BB
Aggie Notes:
WHAT THEY SAID
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On Trinity Harrington…
"She was phenomenal today. She hit her spots, and when she didn't have to throw strikes she didn't throw strikes. She had a three-pitch inning. She threw 61 pitches all game. There were so many notable things about her performance, so it's a shame that the one hit plopped in. I know our kids were hustling to get after it. I am really proud of Trinity. I just really enjoy watching her pitch. She is so good at her craft, and it is really fun to be a part of it."
On Lexi Smith…
"The pitching was great. I thought Lexi did such a nice job. She goes out and only gives up one hit. It is nice to see her compete like that. I think she is really comfortable right now and really confident. She is not afraid to attack the strike zone."
On Kayla Poynter…
"We got a chance to see Kayla Poynter out there. We have been trying to make a decision about her since she had surgery last summer. We felt like she might be ready for this season, but we weren't sure, so she went out and hadn't thrown a pitch on the field for 18 months. I told her that nobody remembers you gave up two hits, everyone just knows that in your very first collegiate appearance you struck out the side in your first inning, and that's a pretty big deal. It was a big deal to watch her teammates be excited for her. The pitchers were really excited about it, so it is cool to have a staff like that."
On Riley Sartain…
"Ever since she got hot and comfortable, she has been really consistent. You have a hard time keeping her off the bases. She is hitting with power and for home runs. Even with two strikes, it doesn't even phase her. She gets back in there."
On Erica Russell…
"She has been so good and consistent. The thing about her is you never know what pitch she is going to hit. It's not like a pitcher goes okay this is the one pitch I can't throw this kid. She likes a lot of them. It's really cool to watch this kid get up there and get her hacks. You saw in the one at bat that she goes up there and takes a huge hack, then was really smart and lays down a bunt that was unexpected. She is a sparkplug for us. She goes out there with two outs and gets on."
On the game against Marist…
"To get three (home runs) in a row is really pretty crazy. I told our kids after that game that something happened in this game that rarely ever happens. It's not one specific thing or play. It was the three home runs, but also we didn't have a groundball out the entire first game. We had a lot of strikeouts and popups. Our infield did not field one groundball out the entire game. When the last batter was up, I was looking at my kids saying I don't remember any of these kids fielding a groundball. It was a lot of special things that happened today."
ON DECK
The Aggies return to action Saturday against Michigan State at 12:15 PM in day three of the Reveille Classic 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.
The Aggie (26-4) offense exploded for five home runs on the day and A&M's pitching staff stymied both offenses with 10-strikeout performances by Lexi Smith and Trinity Harrington.
In game one against Marist (8-12), the Aggies drew blood early in the first inning as Tori Vidales reached base on a fielder's choice and was plated by an Ashley Walters double, the 45th of her career. Walters is now tied for fifth in program history in doubles with Natalie Villarreal (2008-12).
The Maroon & White added to the lead in the third when Riley Sartain blasted a two-run home run over the right field wall scoring Vidales.
In the fourth inning, Samantha Show singled to left field and Kylie George, who pinch ran for Show, came around to touch home on an error by the second baseman.
Texas A&M blew the game open and showed their power in the fifth as Sarah Hudek, Kristen Cuyos and Show hit three consecutive homers to conclude scoring for the Aggies and give them a 7-0 lead.
In the circle, Lexi Smith earned the win as she struck out a season-high 10 batters and allowed only one walk and one hit. Freshman Kayla Poynter made her debut in an Aggie uniform as she threw two innings in relief, allowing one walk, two hits and fanning four.
In the nightcap, the Aggies relied on a four-run third inning to defeat the Huskies (11-16). Erica Russell led off with a double to right, followed by a walk to Kaitlyn Alderink. Walters delivered an RBI single down the right field line to score Russell. Sartain followed with a three-run blast, her team-high seventh of the season, to cap off the frame.
Trinity Harrington threw her fifth shutout of the season, while not allowing a base runner until the seventh inning. The senior tied her career-high in strikeouts with 10 and only gave up one hit.
Riley Sartain | 3-for-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, BB
Erica Russell | 3-for-4, 2B, R, BB
Pitching Breakdown:
Lexi Smith (5-0, 0.92 ERA) – W, 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 10 K, 1 BB
Trinity Harrington (8-1, 1.36 ERA) – W, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 10 K, 0 BB
Kayla Poynter (0-0, 0.00 ERA) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K, 1 BB
- Freshman Kayla Poynter made her debut in the circle for the Aggies
- Kristen Cuyos hit the 40th home run of her career, moving her past Selena Collins (2000-03) for ninth in program history
- Ashley Walters recorded the 45th double of her career and is now tied for fifth all-time with Natalie Villarreal (2008-12)
- Lexi Smith recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts against Marist
- Trinity Harrington tied her career-high with 10 strikeouts against UConn
- Riley Sartain now leads the team with seven home runs this season
- Keeli Milligan extended her reached-base streak to 18 games
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On Trinity Harrington…
"She was phenomenal today. She hit her spots, and when she didn't have to throw strikes she didn't throw strikes. She had a three-pitch inning. She threw 61 pitches all game. There were so many notable things about her performance, so it's a shame that the one hit plopped in. I know our kids were hustling to get after it. I am really proud of Trinity. I just really enjoy watching her pitch. She is so good at her craft, and it is really fun to be a part of it."
On Lexi Smith…
"The pitching was great. I thought Lexi did such a nice job. She goes out and only gives up one hit. It is nice to see her compete like that. I think she is really comfortable right now and really confident. She is not afraid to attack the strike zone."
On Kayla Poynter…
"We got a chance to see Kayla Poynter out there. We have been trying to make a decision about her since she had surgery last summer. We felt like she might be ready for this season, but we weren't sure, so she went out and hadn't thrown a pitch on the field for 18 months. I told her that nobody remembers you gave up two hits, everyone just knows that in your very first collegiate appearance you struck out the side in your first inning, and that's a pretty big deal. It was a big deal to watch her teammates be excited for her. The pitchers were really excited about it, so it is cool to have a staff like that."
On Riley Sartain…
"Ever since she got hot and comfortable, she has been really consistent. You have a hard time keeping her off the bases. She is hitting with power and for home runs. Even with two strikes, it doesn't even phase her. She gets back in there."
On Erica Russell…
"She has been so good and consistent. The thing about her is you never know what pitch she is going to hit. It's not like a pitcher goes okay this is the one pitch I can't throw this kid. She likes a lot of them. It's really cool to watch this kid get up there and get her hacks. You saw in the one at bat that she goes up there and takes a huge hack, then was really smart and lays down a bunt that was unexpected. She is a sparkplug for us. She goes out there with two outs and gets on."
On the game against Marist…
"To get three (home runs) in a row is really pretty crazy. I told our kids after that game that something happened in this game that rarely ever happens. It's not one specific thing or play. It was the three home runs, but also we didn't have a groundball out the entire first game. We had a lot of strikeouts and popups. Our infield did not field one groundball out the entire game. When the last batter was up, I was looking at my kids saying I don't remember any of these kids fielding a groundball. It was a lot of special things that happened today."
The Aggies return to action Saturday against Michigan State at 12:15 PM in day three of the Reveille Classic 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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Lexi (5-0)
L: Peterson, Brooke (2-2)
Base Running:
CS: Oberdorf, Claire 1
HBP: Oberdorf, Claire 1
Batting:
2B: Walters, Ashley 1
HR: Sartain, Riley 1 ; Hudek, Sarah 1 ; Cuyos, Kristen 1 ; Show, Samantha 1
RBI: Walters, Ashley 1 ; Sartain, Riley 2 ; Hudek, Sarah 1 ; Cuyos, Kristen 1 ; Show, Samantha 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vidales, Tori 2 ; Sartain, Riley 1 ; Hudek, Sarah 1 ; Cuyos, Kristen 1 ; Show, Samantha 1 ; George, Kylie 1
HBP: Alderink, Kaitlyn 1 ; Sartain, Riley 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
SS
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballIF
/ SoftballP/UT
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ SoftballC
/ SoftballFall Ball Press Conference: Trisha Ford
Monday, October 06
Liberty Postgame: Texas A&M
Sunday, May 18
NCAA Regional Day 3: Liberty Postgame
Sunday, May 18
Highlights: Texas A&M 5, Liberty 6
Sunday, May 18
