COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M softball team topped Baylor, 10-4, Sunday at Davis Diamond to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals for the eighth time in program history.
The Aggies’ victory was highlighted by a seven-run fifth inning, the most runs the Maroon & White have scored in an inning this season. Texas A&M’s (43-16) offense was powered by Erica Russell’s base-clearing double down the left field line and Samantha Show’s fourth homer of the season. Russell went 2-for-2 on the night with a double, two walks and two runs while recording three RBI, matching her career high.
In the circle, Lexi Smith got the start, throwing three innings, giving up six hits and three runs with two strikeouts. Payton McBride (2-0) earned the win as she tossed 1.2 innings in relief only allowing three hits, one run and one walk, while fanning one. Trinity Harrington entered in the fifth inning to close out the game. The senior allowed only two hits and one walk and recorded three strikeouts to keep the Lady Bears at bay.
Baylor starter, Gia Rodoni suffered the loss, giving up eight runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings of work. Regan Green threw 2.1 innings of relief, allowing four hits and two runs.
In the College Station Regional, the Aggies outscored their opponents, 29-5. Sarah Hudek led the team with a .545 average and was tied for the team lead in RBI with Riley Sartain with five a piece. As a team, Texas A&M hit .435 and had double-digit hits in each game of the regional.
KEY INNINGS
B1 | Baylor loaded the bases in the first as Nicky Dawson singled to left field, Jessie Scroggins reached base on a bunt for a single and Shelby Friudenberg walked. Goose McGlaun recorded an RBI on a groundout to score Dawson for the first run of the game. Baylor 1, A&M 0
T2 | Baylor added a run in the second as Hannah Thompson singled to left field and Kyla Walker delivered a double down the left field line to score Hannah Smith, who pinch ran for Thompson. Baylor 2, A&M 0
T3 | Russell earned the lead off walk followed by back-to-back RBI singles by Vidales and Fortenberry, each to the left side, evening the game at two. A&M 2, Baylor 2
B3 | Baylor regained the lead as Friudenberg walked and McGlaun doubled to left center, scoring Alyssa Avalos, who pinch ran for Friudenberg. Baylor 3, A&M 2
T5 | Texas A&M put up a seven-spot in the fifth as Hudek led off the frame with a single up the middle and quickly stole second. Fortenberry delivered a double to right to score Hudek before Walters walked and Alderink reached on a fielder’s choice, to load the bases. With two outs, the Aggies took advantage of a bases-loaded walk to Cuyos to score Fortenberry. Russell blasted a three-RBI double down the left field line and scored on Show’s homer over the left field wall. A&M 9, Baylor 3
B5 | The Lady Bears scored one run in the fifth on a solo shot by Friudenberg. A&M 9, Baylor 4
T6 | The Maroon & White tacked on a run in the sixth as Ashley Walters reached base on a fielder’s choice and touched home on a Riley Sartain infield single. A&M 10, Baylor 4
Top Offensive Players:
Erica Russell | 2-for-2, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBI, SB, 2 BB
Kelbi Fortenberry | 2-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB
Riley Sartain | 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Samantha Show | 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Lexi Smith | 3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 K, 2 BB
Payton McBride (2-0) | W, 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB
Trinity Harrington | 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
ON DECK
The Aggies face Florida Thursday-Saturday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Game one is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start on ESPN. Friday is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start on ESPN2 with Saturday slated for 4 p.m. on ESPN.
