COLLEGE STATION – The 12th-ranked Texas A&M softball team fell to No. 9 South Carolina, 5-3, in the series finale Sunday at the Aggie Softball Complex.
Offensively, the Aggies (32-8, 5-4 SEC) were led by Tori Vidales and Sarah Hudek. Vidales went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer while Hudek was 1-for-4 with a RBI single. Keeli Milligan, Ashley Walters and Kaitlyn Alderink each recorded a hit.
In the circle, Kayla Poynter suffered the loss to move to 1-2 on the year. The freshman allowed five hits, five runs, four earned runs, five walks and six strikeouts in seven innings.
Kelsey Oh earned the win, tossing 2.1 innings of relief giving up one hit and one walk with two strikeouts to move to 9-2 on the campaign. Cayla Drotar, who started the game for South Carolina (30-6, 6-3 SEC), went 4.2 innings and gave up four hits, three runs and a walk.
KEY INNINGS
T3 | South Carolina broke the scoring seal as Mackenzie Boesel drove in Kamryn Watts, who reached on a fielding error, with a single to right. SC 1, A&M 0
T4 | The Gamecocks added to the lead as Jana Johns hit a leadoff home run to left center. SC 2, A&M 0
B5 | Texas A&M rallied to take the lead as Kaitlyn Alderink doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on a Sarah Hudeksingle. Tori Vidales plated Hudek with a two-run shot, her seventh of the season. A&M 3, SC 2
T6 | South Carolina regained the lead with a three-run homer from Kenzi Maguire. SC 5, A&M 3
Top Offensive Players:
Sarah Hudek | 1-for-4, RBI
Tori Vidales | 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Pitching Breakdown:
Kayla Poynter (1-2, 3.96 ERA) – L, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 6 K
WHAT THEY SAID
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On today’s game…
“It was a good game and early on I thought we had really quality at bats. What I wasn’t happy with was situational hitting. We got into a couple double plays that took us out of the inning. Situationally we need to be better. We need to talk about outs being positive outs, meaning you moved the runner or you put somebody in a position to be able to score a run a little bit easier, and we didn’t do that. Sarah Hudek squared the ball up great twice and then the last time hits that bleeder through. I saw some positive things. It was disappointing to not win that game, especially when we take over the lead and give up the big three-run home run in the sixth.”
On Kayla Poynter…
“I actually thought she had a pretty good day out there. When I watch her and see what she did with their hitters, I think that is a kid that can help us win and that is an important part of her progression as a pitcher to be able to play a game like that, and she will keep learning. I thought she came back after that home run in the sixth and threw well and did a nice job in the seventh of getting us off the field.”
On Tori Vidales…
“Such a great job by Vidales, just looking to hit and I thought she was more aggressive today, aside from her last at bat. On the weekend, she has been a lot more aggressive, to drive the ball, and she is not being so picky. She looks comfortable at the plate. I know she’s very upset after taking that third strike, but that pitcher made a really nice pitch in a spot that Tori wasn’t looking and that is the way it goes sometimes.”
ON DECK
The Aggies travel to Starkville, Miss., for a three-game series against Mississippi State. Action begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow the Aggies wherever they go by following @AggieSoftball on Instagram and Twitter or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TAMUSoftball.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics