News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
AUBURN – Texas A&M’s Emiley Kennedy tossed a one-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory to sweep No. 22 Auburn Sunday afternoon at Jane B. Moore Field.
Kennedy went the distance for the eighth time this season, including her fourth SEC game. The left-handed ace threw 96 pitches, including 60 strikes for a 62.5 strike percentage. The senior struck out three Tigers, while yielding only three walks.
Texas A&M (24-4, 4-2 SEC) loaded the bases in the opening frame after Koko Wooley, Kennedy Powell and Amari Harper each walked. Mac Barbara lined a two-RBI single to center scoring Wooley and Powell to give the Maroon & White a 2-0 lead after the first.
After a quiet second inning, Ol’ Sarge’s charges threatened with the leadoff runner getting on base in the next four innings but came up empty leaving a total of six Aggies stranded in the span. Pinch-hitter Kylei Griffin drove in Texas A&M’s third run in the final frame with a two-out single to score pinch-runner Hailey Golden.
Auburn (20-8, 0-6 SEC) sent 25 batters to plate, while Kennedy handed 16 Tigers a first pitch strike. Backed by multiple web gem plays from Powell and Wooley, the Aggies defense allowed only one Tiger to reach scoring position all game.
UP NEXT
Texas A&M returns to Aggieland to host No. 23 Alabama in a three-game set beginning March 21-23 at Davis Diamond. The series opener is set for Friday at 6 p.m., game two is Saturday at 4 p.m. and the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m.
NOTES
- Emiley Kennedy threw her second complete game of the weekend and eighth of the season. It marked the 41st complete game of her career and the fifth time in her career to go the distance in the bookend games of an SEC series.
- Emiley Kennedy went 2-0 on the weekend to bring her season record to 8-3. She totaled 15.0 innings of work, while striking out 14 batters and keeping opposing hitters to a .137 batting average.
- Amari Harper reached base in each plate appearance going 1-for-1 with double, two hit-by-pitches and one walk. The junior finished the weekend 5-for-7, 2 HR, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 3 R, 3 HBP, 1 BB. She totaled a 2.464 OPS in the series, while making a start at first base and two starts in right field.
- Texas A&M last swept a conference ranked opponent on the road in 2017 at No. 22 Ole Miss on March 17-19.
- Head Coach Trisha Ford claimed her 500th career victory bringing her career record to 500-266-1, while going 104-40 in the Maroon & White.