COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Senior Rachel Fox threw a complete-game as the 22nd-ranked Texas A&M softball team (13-4) downed Houston (7-12), 6-3 in a midweek contest.
Fox (8-3) gave up just three runs on five hits and two walks, while fanning three batters, through seven innings of work in the circle. Sophomore Abby Donnell was 3-for-3 with one run on the day.
After a scoreless first, the Aggies got on the board in the bottom of the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. Freshman Ashley Walters opened the home portion reaching first on an error at third base and was immediately joined on the bags by a double down the left field line from freshman Kristen Cuyos, putting both runners in scoring position. A homer over the center field wall from sophomore Reagan Boenker brought both home and gave A&M the first lead of the game.
Houston tried to chip away at the Aggies’ lead in the third, putting two runners in scoring position with two outs. The Cougars managed to get one across home plate on an error at catcher, leading to a 3-1 Aggie lead.
The fourth inning was when the A&M ball club pulled away from the Cougars. Down two outs, Donnell hit a stand-alone double to left field and senior Brittany Clopton followed her with a single to third base. An error allowed junior Alex Masek to get to first and load the bases for the Aggies. Freshman Tori Vidales was walked on a full count, sending Donnell home for the fourth run. A streaking double from junior Cali Lanphear sent Clopton and Masek speeding around the bags for the final two runs of the inning and a 6-1 Aggie lead.
The Cougars weren’t ready to throw in the towel, scoring in the top of the fifth on an RBI double and a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh for a 6-3 final score.
Let’s Hear a Hullabaloo…
… for lucky number seven. Senior Brittany Clopton has been successful in the leadoff spot this spring, batting .333 with 18 hits and 14 runs. A single in the game against Houston gave her a hit in seven consecutive contests for the Aggies. Gig ‘em, Brittany!
Up Next
The Aggies host Boston University, Illinois State and UTSA at the Texas A&M Invitational this weekend. Follow along with live stats at 12thMan.com and @AggieSoftball on Twitter for all the hits, pitches and everything in between during the 2015 softball season.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics