Courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics
COLLEGE STATION – A four-run sixth inning propelled the No. 18 Texas A&M softball team to a 6-4 win over No. 1 Florida on Sunday at the Aggie Softball Complex. The win marks the first time A&M has beaten the top-ranked team since June 1, 2008, when the Aggies bested Florida, 1-0, in Oklahoma City.
“I was pleased with the way we fought,” head coach Jo Evans said. “We just stayed in it to the end. That sixth inning was big for us. I told the team before we went to hit ‘let’s win it right here.’ Our kids did such a good job of finding ways to get on. It was a huge for us to have a cushion like that.”
The Gators (47-4, 17-4 SEC) took an early 1-0 lead in the second on a RBI groundout by Kelsey Stewart, before A&M (35-16, 7-14 SEC) plated two runs in the third to take a 2-1 advantage.
Freshman Kaitlyn Alderink led off the inning with a solo home run to right center, her fourth of the season. After sophomore Tori Vidales walked and sophomore Ashley Walters singled, freshman Samantha Show loaded the bases with a single, and freshman Riley Sartain drove in Vidales on a bloop single to left.
Florida tied the game in the fourth on a Kayli Kvisted RBI single to center, scoring Stewart.
Sartain led off the sixth with a single and was replaced by senior pinch runner Alex Masek. After senior Cali Lanphear was hit by a pitch, freshman Keeli Milligan loaded the bases with a bunt single. Alderink reached on a fielder’s choice, but a throwing error allowed Masek and Lanphear to score. Milligan came across on a wild pitch to give A&M a 5-2 lead. Sophomore Erica Russell capped off the inning with an RBI single to left, plating Alderink.
Sophomore Trinity Harrington moved to 7-6 on the season, throwing six innings giving up eight hits, four runs with three strikeouts. Show earned her third save of the season, shutting down the Gators’ comeback attempt in the seventh.
The Aggies return to action Friday at No. 3 Auburn at 6 p.m. Friday and Sunday’s games can be seen on SEC Network +, while Saturday’s game will be on ESPN. All three games can also be heard locally on KWBC 1550 AM or online atwww.RadioAggieland.com.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics