Friday, February 8
College Station
3 p.m.
Texas A&M
1-0
9
vs
1
California Baptist
0-2
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
California Baptist
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
Texas A&M
2
0
1
6
X
9
11
1
No. 20 Texas A&M Tops California Baptist, Northern Colorado on Opening Day
Feb 08, 2019 | Softball
COLLEGE STATION – No. 20 Texas A&M Softball opened the 2019 campaign with two wins Friday at Davis Diamond, defeating California Baptist, 9-1, and Northern Colorado, 18-2, each via the run rule.
The Lancers kept within striking distance for the first three innings until Texas A&M exploded for six runs in the fourth to secure the Aggies' largest margin of victory in a season opener since defeating Wisconsin, 16-1, in 2010.
Payton McBride earned the victory against Cal Baptist after only allowing one run on one hit while striking out four in four innings of work. Hannah Mayo made her first career appearance, throwing one inning in relief and recording one strikeout.
The Maroon & White's bats remained hot in game two, blasting 18 runs off 19 hits. For the first time since facing San Diego in 2016, the Aggies registered 10 runs in a single inning.
The Bears plated two in the fifth but couldn't overcome the deficit.
Kayla Poynter recorded the first win of her sophomore campaign after throwing 4.0 innings, allowing only two hits, two walks and fanning four. Mayo closed out the game, allowing two hits, two runs, two walks, and striking out one.
Texas A&M outhit their opponents, 30-5, as 15 Aggies recorded a hit, eight of which had multi-hit games. Riley Sartain, who went 5-for-5 with seven RBI, five runs, three home runs, two doubles and a walk, led the Maroon & White at the plate.
KEY INNINGS
vs. CBU
T1| California Baptist's Brittany Galvez doubled down the left field line and touched home on an error. CBU 1, A&M 0
B1| The Aggies answered with two runs in the bottom of the first. Blake-Ann led off with a single up the middle and was followed by a Kelbi Fortenberry infield single. Baylee Klingler singled through the left side to record her first career RBI, allowing Fritsch to score. McBride produced a sac fly, plating Fortenberry. A&M 2, CBU 1
B3| Sartain blasted a solo shot over the left field wall to extend the Aggies' lead to two. A&M 3, CBU 1
B4| Texas A&M put up a six-spot in the fourth, beginning with a single from Haley Lee to left. Ashlynn Walls recorded her first RBI in maroon and white with a base hit to score Taudrea Sinnie, who pinch ran for Lee. Blake-Ann Fritsch singled to shortstop before Fortenberry plated Walls with a hit up the middle. Sartain drew a walk and was followed by a Klingler single to right, scoring Fritsch and Fortenberry. McBride allowed Sartain and Klingler to touch home with a single to left, accounting for the last two runs of the game. A&M 9, CBU 1
vs. Northern Colorado
B1| Fortenberry earned a walk before Sartain blasted a two-run homer to give the Aggies an early 2-0 lead. Klingler doubled down the third base line and took advantage of a throwing error to touch home. A&M 3, NC 0
B2| Morgan Smith singled through the left side, plating Kelly Martinez and Walls, who each reached on singles. Texas A&M added three more as a Fortenberry singled to the infield to score Kylie George and later came around with Morgan Smith on a Sartain double. A&M 8, NC 0
B4| The Maroon & White extended their lead to 18 in the fourth inning beginning with a double from Sartain and an Abby Smith shot over the left field wall. Meagan Smith walked and eventually touched home as Sinnie reached on a fielder's choice. Fritsch and Sinnie were plated on a Morgan Smith single to left. The Aggies scored four more on a Gabby Moreno double up the middle, allowing Morgan Smith and George to score and Sartain blasted her third homer of the night to plate Moreno. The final run for the Aggies came when Kayla Garcia singled to shortstop allowing Abby Smith to reach home. A&M 18, NC 0
T5| Northern Colorado scored two in the fifth as Alyssa Huerta and Kenzie Kudrna reached base on a fielder's choice and walk, respectively, and were plated on Taylor Libby's double down the third base line. A&M 18, NC 2
Top Offensive Players:
Riley Sartain | 5-for-5, 7 RBI, 3 HR, 2 2B, BB, 5 R
Baylee Klingler | 3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2B, R
Kelbi Fortenberry | 3-for-5, 2 RBI, BB, 4 R, 2 SB
Haley Lee | 3-for-4, 2B
Pitching Breakdown:
Payton McBride (1-0) – W, 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1R, 4 K, 1 BB
Hannah Mayo – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 K, 2 BB
Kayla Poynter (1-0) – W, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K, 2 BB
WHAT THEY SAID
Head Coach Jo Evans
On Riley Sartain's Game…
"She was unbelievable tonight, I thought she played so well. She is that kind of player, very dynamic, powerful, explosive and you could tell she felt really comfortable tonight. Especially in the at bat where she fouled a lot of pitches off to right field, and then ends up hitting it left-center. That says a lot about her and her ability to make an adjustment. You can see she is in the zone, and she won't hit like that every night, but she has the potential to hit like that every night."
On today's pitchers…
"I thought our pitching staff did well tonight. They kept the ball down. They didn't give up many hits. They didn't give many walks. You look at Payton McBride in the first game and the leadoff hitter, who I think is a really good hitter, she smokes the one off the left field wall and then nobody really sniffs anything after that. Hannah Mayo came in to relief in that first game and I thought she looked really composed and did a nice job. Kayla Poynter, I thought she showed a lot of poise out there, she looked confident. I liked her presence. I think that is probably the best she has looked in terms of just presence and command. You can tell that she was feeling good out there. That is a kid that I think will just keep getting better and better.
On the first year players contributing…
"I was happy with that, and in the first inning when we get runners on and I bunt Sartain, I would typically not do that and the only reason I did that was so that, our youngster, our freshman, Baylee Klingler could get up there in her very first college career at bat and have an easier at bat. Instead of having to get a base hit, just hit a fly ball and score a run, she ends up getting a base hit anyways, so I was really pleased to see Baylee's at bats. I thought she looked really good at the plate. Haley Lee is another one, who crushed the ball in the teeth of the wind or she would have had a home run tonight. I thought she just looked really strong behind the plate and throwing the runner out. I just saw good things out of our youngsters. Kayla Garcia coming off the bench and getting herself on base, and Taudrea Sinnie, Morgan Smith, and Meagan Smith, every one of our freshman went out there and did something really well. Maddie Jatzlau coming off the bench and running bases. I was really pleased to see all of our kids hitting throughout the order, but the youngster, this is the day where you are thinking please don't have deer in the headlight look in your face. Go out there and play, and I thought our kids did a really good job."
Senior 3B Riley Sartain
On what was working for her tonight…
"I think it was just one of those days. This is always a game of ebb and flow. Today I was thankful enough to be on the top end of that and I'll try to remember these moments whenever I'm not feeling so good and not hitting the ball well."
On if she was surprised how well the newcomers performed tonight…
"I definitely expected it. We have a whole team of really good hitters. I was really happy for them to get those opportunities and to have those moments under their belt so that when the next moment comes they'll be more confident and prepared."
Freshman 1B Baylee Klingler
On her first game as an Aggie…
"It was an awesome experience being out with some of my best friends and it was everything I had hoped for. The energy was awesome from all the girls and as far as the hits go, I was just trying to put run on the board for my team and help us get through the game."
On if she was nervous…
"I expected to have some nerves, but once I got out there, it was just so natural with all my teammates, just going through practice and stuff. That is just how I kind of felt. I mean I was more excited than anything, but I love playing with those girls. They make it so easy to not be nervous."
ON DECK
The Aggies return to action Saturday in the Aggie Classic with a rematch against Northern Colorado at 12:15 p.m. before a 3 p.m. tilt with North Texas. Both games can be seen live on SEC Network + and 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.
The Lancers kept within striking distance for the first three innings until Texas A&M exploded for six runs in the fourth to secure the Aggies' largest margin of victory in a season opener since defeating Wisconsin, 16-1, in 2010.
Payton McBride earned the victory against Cal Baptist after only allowing one run on one hit while striking out four in four innings of work. Hannah Mayo made her first career appearance, throwing one inning in relief and recording one strikeout.
The Maroon & White's bats remained hot in game two, blasting 18 runs off 19 hits. For the first time since facing San Diego in 2016, the Aggies registered 10 runs in a single inning.
The Bears plated two in the fifth but couldn't overcome the deficit.
Kayla Poynter recorded the first win of her sophomore campaign after throwing 4.0 innings, allowing only two hits, two walks and fanning four. Mayo closed out the game, allowing two hits, two runs, two walks, and striking out one.
Texas A&M outhit their opponents, 30-5, as 15 Aggies recorded a hit, eight of which had multi-hit games. Riley Sartain, who went 5-for-5 with seven RBI, five runs, three home runs, two doubles and a walk, led the Maroon & White at the plate.
vs. CBU
T1| California Baptist's Brittany Galvez doubled down the left field line and touched home on an error. CBU 1, A&M 0
B1| The Aggies answered with two runs in the bottom of the first. Blake-Ann led off with a single up the middle and was followed by a Kelbi Fortenberry infield single. Baylee Klingler singled through the left side to record her first career RBI, allowing Fritsch to score. McBride produced a sac fly, plating Fortenberry. A&M 2, CBU 1
B3| Sartain blasted a solo shot over the left field wall to extend the Aggies' lead to two. A&M 3, CBU 1
B4| Texas A&M put up a six-spot in the fourth, beginning with a single from Haley Lee to left. Ashlynn Walls recorded her first RBI in maroon and white with a base hit to score Taudrea Sinnie, who pinch ran for Lee. Blake-Ann Fritsch singled to shortstop before Fortenberry plated Walls with a hit up the middle. Sartain drew a walk and was followed by a Klingler single to right, scoring Fritsch and Fortenberry. McBride allowed Sartain and Klingler to touch home with a single to left, accounting for the last two runs of the game. A&M 9, CBU 1
vs. Northern Colorado
B1| Fortenberry earned a walk before Sartain blasted a two-run homer to give the Aggies an early 2-0 lead. Klingler doubled down the third base line and took advantage of a throwing error to touch home. A&M 3, NC 0
B2| Morgan Smith singled through the left side, plating Kelly Martinez and Walls, who each reached on singles. Texas A&M added three more as a Fortenberry singled to the infield to score Kylie George and later came around with Morgan Smith on a Sartain double. A&M 8, NC 0
B4| The Maroon & White extended their lead to 18 in the fourth inning beginning with a double from Sartain and an Abby Smith shot over the left field wall. Meagan Smith walked and eventually touched home as Sinnie reached on a fielder's choice. Fritsch and Sinnie were plated on a Morgan Smith single to left. The Aggies scored four more on a Gabby Moreno double up the middle, allowing Morgan Smith and George to score and Sartain blasted her third homer of the night to plate Moreno. The final run for the Aggies came when Kayla Garcia singled to shortstop allowing Abby Smith to reach home. A&M 18, NC 0
T5| Northern Colorado scored two in the fifth as Alyssa Huerta and Kenzie Kudrna reached base on a fielder's choice and walk, respectively, and were plated on Taylor Libby's double down the third base line. A&M 18, NC 2
Top Offensive Players:
Riley Sartain | 5-for-5, 7 RBI, 3 HR, 2 2B, BB, 5 R
Baylee Klingler | 3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2B, R
Kelbi Fortenberry | 3-for-5, 2 RBI, BB, 4 R, 2 SB
Haley Lee | 3-for-4, 2B
Pitching Breakdown:
Payton McBride (1-0) – W, 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1R, 4 K, 1 BB
Hannah Mayo – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 K, 2 BB
Kayla Poynter (1-0) – W, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K, 2 BB
Head Coach Jo Evans
On Riley Sartain's Game…
"She was unbelievable tonight, I thought she played so well. She is that kind of player, very dynamic, powerful, explosive and you could tell she felt really comfortable tonight. Especially in the at bat where she fouled a lot of pitches off to right field, and then ends up hitting it left-center. That says a lot about her and her ability to make an adjustment. You can see she is in the zone, and she won't hit like that every night, but she has the potential to hit like that every night."
On today's pitchers…
"I thought our pitching staff did well tonight. They kept the ball down. They didn't give up many hits. They didn't give many walks. You look at Payton McBride in the first game and the leadoff hitter, who I think is a really good hitter, she smokes the one off the left field wall and then nobody really sniffs anything after that. Hannah Mayo came in to relief in that first game and I thought she looked really composed and did a nice job. Kayla Poynter, I thought she showed a lot of poise out there, she looked confident. I liked her presence. I think that is probably the best she has looked in terms of just presence and command. You can tell that she was feeling good out there. That is a kid that I think will just keep getting better and better.
On the first year players contributing…
"I was happy with that, and in the first inning when we get runners on and I bunt Sartain, I would typically not do that and the only reason I did that was so that, our youngster, our freshman, Baylee Klingler could get up there in her very first college career at bat and have an easier at bat. Instead of having to get a base hit, just hit a fly ball and score a run, she ends up getting a base hit anyways, so I was really pleased to see Baylee's at bats. I thought she looked really good at the plate. Haley Lee is another one, who crushed the ball in the teeth of the wind or she would have had a home run tonight. I thought she just looked really strong behind the plate and throwing the runner out. I just saw good things out of our youngsters. Kayla Garcia coming off the bench and getting herself on base, and Taudrea Sinnie, Morgan Smith, and Meagan Smith, every one of our freshman went out there and did something really well. Maddie Jatzlau coming off the bench and running bases. I was really pleased to see all of our kids hitting throughout the order, but the youngster, this is the day where you are thinking please don't have deer in the headlight look in your face. Go out there and play, and I thought our kids did a really good job."
Senior 3B Riley Sartain
On what was working for her tonight…
"I think it was just one of those days. This is always a game of ebb and flow. Today I was thankful enough to be on the top end of that and I'll try to remember these moments whenever I'm not feeling so good and not hitting the ball well."
On if she was surprised how well the newcomers performed tonight…
"I definitely expected it. We have a whole team of really good hitters. I was really happy for them to get those opportunities and to have those moments under their belt so that when the next moment comes they'll be more confident and prepared."
Freshman 1B Baylee Klingler
On her first game as an Aggie…
"It was an awesome experience being out with some of my best friends and it was everything I had hoped for. The energy was awesome from all the girls and as far as the hits go, I was just trying to put run on the board for my team and help us get through the game."
On if she was nervous…
"I expected to have some nerves, but once I got out there, it was just so natural with all my teammates, just going through practice and stuff. That is just how I kind of felt. I mean I was more excited than anything, but I love playing with those girls. They make it so easy to not be nervous."
The Aggies return to action Saturday in the Aggie Classic with a rematch against Northern Colorado at 12:15 p.m. before a 3 p.m. tilt with North Texas. Both games can be seen live on SEC Network + and heard locally on Willy 1550 AM.
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: McBride, Payton (1-0)
L: LOPEZ, G (0-1)
Batting:
2B: GALVEZ, B 1
SH: ROSARIO, H 1 ; BUDINGER, M 1
Base Running:
RUNS: GALVEZ, B 1
HBP: ARGOMANIZ, A 1
Batting:
2B: Lee, Haley 1
HR: Sartain, Riley 1
RBI: Fortenberry, Kelbi 1 ; Sartain, Riley 1 ; Klingler, Baylee 3 ; McBride, Payton 3 ; Walls, Ashlynn 1
SH: Sartain, Riley 1
SF: McBride, Payton 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Fritsch, Blake-Ann 2 ; Fortenberry, Kelbi 2 ; Sartain, Riley 2 ; Klingler, Baylee 1 ; Sinnie, Taudrea 1 ; Walls, Ashlynn 1
SB: Fritsch, Blake-Ann 1 ; Fortenberry, Kelbi 1 ; Sinnie, Taudrea 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
Players Mentioned
OF
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
INF/OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/1B
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
INF
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