Texas A&M
38-12, 11-8
Auburn
38-12, 11-10
No. 11 Aggies Debut Davis Diamond with 3-1 Win Over No. 12 Auburn
Apr 27, 2018 | Softball
Texas A&M (38-12, 11-8) offense came alive in the fourth inning as Riley Sartain drove in the first run at the new facility with a two-out knock in the fourth. Kelbi Fortenberry added to Aggie advantage with a clutch double plating a pair of Aggies.
The three runs were more than starter, Trinity Harrington (13-2), would need. The Greely, Colo., native dominated in the circle all evening holding the Tigers to four hits and fanning a pair. The senior recorded her tenth complete game of the season holding the Auburn offense to one sixth-inning run in her 34th career victory at Texas A&M.
Auburn's (38-12, 11-10 SEC) Kaylee Carlson suffered the loss, giving up three runs on four hits in 3.2 innings of work.
B4 | With two outs and nobody on, Ashley Walters started a rally by earning a two-out walk followed by a Kaitlyn Alderink single to left. Sartain blasted a double to center to allow Blake-Ann Fritch, who pinch ran for Walters, to score the first run of the game. Kelbi Fortenberry delivered a single to center, plating Alderink and Sartain to give the Aggies a three-run lead. A&M 3, AU 0
T6| Auburn made things interesting in the sixth putting a pair on with two outs. Alyssa Rivera doubled to the gap plating one and putting the tying run in scoring position. Harrington got Kendall Veach to foul out to Vidales, ending the Tiger threat. A&M 3, AU 1
Top Offensive Players:
Kelbi Fortenberry | 2-for-2, 2 RBI
Riley Sartain | 1-for-2, 2B, RBI, R
Pitching Breakdown:
Trinity Harrington (13-2) – W, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 2 BB
AGGIE NOTES
· Kelbi Fortenberry recorded the first Aggie hit at Davis Diamond
· Riley Sartain delivered the first RBI at Davis Diamond as she plated Blake-Ann Fritch, who recorded the first run in the stadium
· Harrington was able to limit Auburn damage by holding the Tigers to 1-for-11 with runners on base. On the other side, the Aggie bats hit 3-for-7 with bases occupied.
· The offense was fueled by the 5-6-7 hitters in the lineup, as they accounted for four of the five hits and all three RBI.
Thanks to our 2,194 fans that made today so enjoyable!#12thMan pic.twitter.com/ASsCS5rRVf
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 28, 2018
FINAL | The Aggies have a perfect record at Davis Diamond.#12thMan pic.twitter.com/SpM0bmnyHc
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 28, 2018
First pitch of the inaugural game at Davis Diamond!
— 12th Man Foundation (@12thManFndtn) April 27, 2018
Thank you again to Monty and Becky Davis and all the wonderful donors who supported this project. pic.twitter.com/oVvmWup8Bd
It's a beautiful night to open a new stadium! #12thMan pic.twitter.com/lKiWu6uClh
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 27, 2018
A deserving honor.
— 12th Man Foundation (@12thManFndtn) April 28, 2018
Becky Davis throws out the first pitch before tonight's inaugural game at Davis Diamond. pic.twitter.com/5n2vDCyeF6
.@rileysartain puts the Aggies on top with a double!
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 28, 2018
?? - https://t.co/qEwhBRCAFd #12thMan pic.twitter.com/6JfDeAIkoA
.@Kelbi_7 drives home a pair to increase the A&M lead to 3-0!
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 28, 2018
?? - https://t.co/qEwhBRCAFd #12thMan pic.twitter.com/JOi41u38FX
Trinity Harrington finishes things off for the complete game win!
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 28, 2018
The Aggies open Davis Diamond in style & improve to 38-12 (11-8 SEC)#12thMan pic.twitter.com/HT48FrYFVf
"I was really thrilled to see the crowd get in it & have fun tonight." @Coach_Jo_Evans, @rileysartain & @Kelbi_7 talk about Friday's atmosphere at Davis Diamond. #12thMan pic.twitter.com/r3njolaciI
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 28, 2018
WHAT THEY SAID
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On debuting the stadium with a win…
"I'm thrilled to get a win tonight. I wanted this to be all about winning and not get too caught up in the excitement, which is really hard to do. I'm really proud that we could come here, with all of the distractions, really good distractions, like a different routine, hitting pregame on the field, all the things that we never do, and come out here looking settled in, looking confident and taking over the game."
On a slow offensive start…
"(Kaylee) Carlson is so good. She's an All-American. She's got the best ERA aside from some of the Florida pitchers. She has one of the best ERAs in the SEC and the country. We knew that she could be challenging. She has a one-run ERA, so for us to go out there and put a three-spot up, all earned runs, I was really proud of our kids."
On the atmosphere in the first game at Davis Diamond…
"It was loud. It was great. The crowd was in it. I loved that they have a high IQ in terms of the game so they understand what's going on out there. I think the crowd is going to be even more active than it has been. I recognized some situations that I knew were big and the crowd recognized them too. I'm excited to have these guys jump on board. I think we had a lot of people who may have never been to a softball game, and I hope they recognize the quality product that we put on the field and that we will play hard for them. I was really thrilled to see the crowd get in it and have fun tonight."
Junior Riley Sartain
On recording the first RBI in Davis Diamond…
"It is unbelievable. I can't believe I was even given the opportunity to be in that situation with a runner in scoring position, but I'm very blessed, thankful, and just glad I could get it done.
On debuting the stadium with a win…
"It means everything. It is going to get us on a roll through these last few games of conference. These are the most important as we close out the season especially as we head into the NCAA tournament and the selection show. That's everything, just getting these wins and getting some momentum going into postseason."
Sophomore Kelbi Fortenberry
On recording the first Aggie hit in Davis Diamond…
"I'm extremely blessed. I'm so excited. There are no words to describe my feeling right now."
On debuting the stadium with a win…
"It is super exciting. We wanted to come out and set the standard for Davis Diamond, and I think we definitely did."
On what to attribute recent success at the plate to…
"I definitely feel more comfortable. I'm seeing the ball more and going up there and getting my hacks."
The Aggies return to action for game two of the series against the Auburn Tigers, Saturday, at 1:00 p.m. at Davis Diamond.
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: Harrington, Trinity (13-2)
L: Kaylee Carlson (19-5)
Batting:
2B: Alyssa Rivera 1
RBI: Alyssa Rivera 1
SH: Makenna Dowell 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brittany Maresette 1
HBP: Morgan Podany 1
Batting:
2B: Sartain, Riley 1
RBI: Sartain, Riley 1 ; Fortenberry, Kelbi 2
SH: Cuyos, Kristen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Fritsch, Blake-Ann 1 ; Alderink, Kaitlyn 1 ; Sartain, Riley 1
