LAWRENCE, Kan. – Freshman Amber Garza hit her first career grand slam as the 21st-ranked Texas A&M softball team (36-13, 8-5 Big 12) run-ruled Kansas (31-22, 2-16 Big 12), 13-0 in five innings, Sunday as the Aggies completed a two-game conference series sweep at Arrocha Ballpark.
“That makes yesterday just that much more of a critical game,” head coach Jo Evans said. “We did a good job shutting that game down yesterday and that took a little wind out of Kansas’ sail. Today we came out and were really aggressive. I thought we did a good job with our discipline at the plate; good two-strike hitting, scoring with two outs. We really got comfortable at the plate. It was great to see us swinging like that.”
In the top of the second, senior Kelsey Spittler singled to shallow left field to reach base. The left fielder had three base hits against KU in game one. Garza singled behind her, through the right side. With two runners on base, sophomore Mel Dumezich homered to left-center for a 3-0 lead.
“It was really great in that inning when Dumezich got up there,” Evans said. “Let’s face it, [KU pitcher Allie] Clark had her number yesterday. For her to get up there and hit the long ball and get us going and get Mel out of a little slump was a great way to start the offensive attack.”
The third inning put the Aggies up 9-0. With one out, freshman Cassie Tysarczyk hit a solo bomb to left center. With the bases loaded, freshman Nicole Morgan drew a walk to force a second run before Garza’s grand slam put A&M in a nine-run advantage.
The Aggies didn’t hold off in the top of the fourth, picking up three runs on a three-RBI long ball by Spittler. The senior was 3-for-3 on the game with two singles and a home run.
“At the end of the game, I’m thinking I’m going to take [Spittler] out so I don’t get her in a slump,” Evan’s said. “The kid’s just swinging the bat. I thought our kids did a really great job at the plate. It’s fun to hit the long ball, but with that said, we set the table.”
In the top of the fifth, Villarreal scored the Aggies’ final run on a single through the left side by freshman Emily Albus.
The Jayhawks were unable to get a run in five innings, earning only three hits as they fell 13-0 in a run-rule. Dumezich (22-8) picked up the win, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out five batters in five complete innings. Clark suffered the loss, giving up six earned runs on five hits in three innings of work.
Up next, the Aggies will return home to host No. 3 Texas in a single game as a part of the State Farm Lone Star Showdown. The game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. start and will be televised nationally on FSN Southwest