COLLEGE STATION – The No. 7 Texas A&M softball team defeated Penn State, 8-0, in five innings behind a no-hitter from Samantha Show Tuesday evening at the Aggie Softball Complex.
Show tossed her first collegiate no-hitter in five innings to move to 6-2 on the season. The junior fanned one, only allowed three base runners all night and only threw 61 pitches.
The East Bernard, Texas, native’s no-no is the first five-inning no-hitter since Trinity Harrington blanked SFA on April 6, 2016.
The Maroon & White’s offense scored early and often as they plated a run in every frame. Keeli Milligan led the offense going 3-for-3, scoring two runs and recording three stolen bases. Freshmen Gabby Mareno and Abby Smith each recorded their first career RBI as Smith also tallied her first triple of her career.
KEY INNINGS
B1 | Keeli Milligan led off with a single to left center and was followed by back-to-back walks to Kaitlyn Alderink and Tori Vidales. Milligan and Alderink came around to touch home on consecutive wild pitches. To conclude scoring for the Aggies in the first, Ashley Walters recorded an RBI on a single up the middle to plate Vidales. A&M 3, PSU 0
B2 | Kelbi Fortenberry walked to start the second inning for the Aggies and scored on an Alderink single through the right side to extend the Aggies’ lead. A&M 4, PSU 0
B3 | For the third time on the night, the Maroon and White took advantage of a lead-off walk to extend their lead. This time, Hudek received the base on balls, moved to third on back-to-back wild pitches and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Kristen Cuyos.
B4 | Milligan singled to the pitcher for her third hit of the game and was plated by Gabby Moreno as she recorded her first hit and RBI of her career.
B5 | Blake-Ann Fritsch reached base on a walk and was followed by a single up the middle by Samantha Show. Abby Smith delivered the first triple of her career down the right field line scoring Fritsch and George, who pinch ran for Show, to put the run-rule into effect.
Top Offensive Players:
Keeli Milligan | 3-for-3, 2 R, 3 SB
Abby Smith | 1-for-1, 3B, 2 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Samantha Show (6-2, 2.59 ERA) – 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, K, 3 BB
AGGIE NOTES:
– Gabby Moreno recorded her first collegiate hit and RBI
– Abby Smith recorded her first collegiate triple and RBI
– The Aggies led off every inning except the fourth with a walk
– 11 different Aggies reached base
WHAT THEY SAID
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On Samantha Show…
“She was really good. When you don’t give up any hits that is a pretty darn good performance, so we will take the no-hitter from her. I thought she showed good presence on the mound and took care of business. I thought Sam did a really nice job.”
On Keeli Milligan…
“She is looking really good and really comfortable. I think she is doing a nice job reading the defense and seeing what they give her. She is using her speed too. She can get out there and steal a base anytime. She has been a real spark plug for us, so it is really nice to see her back in that form that we are used to and being aggressive and attacking teams. She looks really good right now.”
On the freshmen’s performance…
“I was excited for Abby (Smith) to get up there and get her an RBI. She went deep in the count and managed to knock one out there to right field. We are always trying to get our youngsters some at bats and some looks. She did a nice job getting a couple RBI and getting us that walk off. I was happy to see Gabby Moreno getting her at bat. She got herself a base hit and an RBI to score Keeli all the way from second base. It’s nice to see our youngsters get out there. The more relaxed they play, the better they are going to be. I like that they are looking for opportunities.”
On getting the freshmen experience before SEC play…
“It is really important to get them reps because we are just trying to get them to bond and gel. I think they are doing a great job of it. I thought this past weekend we really turned a corner on that. Every time they get to be in the actual game, it just gives them a little bit more ownership of their program. They do a great job in the dugout, and when they get on the field and do the same it makes a big difference for our ball club. I am happy to see that. It is not going to be easy for those kids to get in during SEC play. We are about to face the best teams in the entire country in our conference. We need those kids to get every opportunity they can and be serious about it so that they are ready to perform.”
Junior Samantha Show
On her performance…
“I was able to attack the strike zone. My defense made great plays behind me when they were able to put the bat on the ball. I was able to paint the corners and get them to chase on pitches up in the strike zone.”
ON DECK
The Aggies return to action as they face Incarnate Word in a doubleheader on Wednesday at 4 PM and 6 PM at the Aggie Softball Complex.
STAY CONNECTED
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Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics