By: Nick Whitley, Texas A&M Athletics Communications
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M softball split its day-two doubleheader at the Texas A&M Invitational, defeating Colorado State 2-0 followed by a 2-1 loss to Texas Tech on Sunday at Davis Diamond.
In the first game of the day, A&M avenged yesterday’s 7-6 loss by shutting Colorado State out in a 2-0 result. The first two innings passed quietly, but a Makinzy Herzog rocket flew far over the rightfield fence to open up a 1-0 Aggie lead. The Missouri City, Texas, native launched her second home run of the season and 11th of her career.
The Aggies capitalized on multiple hits and excellent baserunning to seal the game in the fifth inning. Shaylee Ackerman batted an RBI single into left field and drove Kelbi Fortenberry home while advancing Haley Lee, who each walked in their previous at-bats. Texas A&M’s defense carried the team the rest of the way, sealing the 2-0 win.
A&M’s pitching tandem of Grace Uribe and Herzog held the Rams scoreless with only three hits on the afternoon. Uribe managed the efforts in the circle for the first five innings, allowing only one hit while fanning six batters, also earning the winning decision. Herzog worked in relief for two innings and recorded three strikeouts with no walks, resulting in a save.
Game two of the day featured a rivalry renewed, as the Maroon & White challenged the former Big 12 Conference-rival Texas Tech Red Raiders. Ackerman continued her success in the batter’s box in the second game of the day, launching the first home run of her collegiate career in the bottom of the fifth inning to provide A&M with a 1-0 advantage. The Mesa, Arizona, native finished 2-for-2 on the evening in a career showing. Unfortunately, the Red Raiders were able to send a pair of runners home following A&M throwing errors in the top of the seventh inning to finalize the 2-1 result.
Herzog was once again called on in the circle, pitching a complete game with six strikeouts in the process. The junior pitcher allowed only four hits in the game, with both Red Raider runs credited as unearned.
KEY INNINGS
vs. Colorado State
B3| Makinzy Herzog opened up the scoring for the Aggies with a thunderous solo home run over the rightfield wall. A&M 1, CSU 0
B5| Kelbi Fortenberry drew a walk and quickly stole second base with Haley Lee filling the open base, also on a walk. Shaylee Ackerman sent an RBI single to leftfield driving Fortenberry home with two outs on the board, but the Rams escaped the inning surrendering only one run. A&M 2, CSU 0
vs. Texas Tech
B5| Shaylee Ackerman sent her first collegiate home run over the leftfield wall directly towards the Davis Diamond scoreboard. A&M 1, TTU 0
T7| Yvonne Whaley walked, and Kelcy Leach reached on a throwing error, which saw Whaley move to third. Jacee Hamlin pinch ran for Leach and headed to second following a foul ball flyout. Heaven Burton reached on an A&M throwing error which allowed Whaley and Leach to tag home. A&M 1, TTU 2
Top Offensive Players:
vs. Colorado State
Kelbi Fortenberry| 2-for-3
Haley Lee| 2-for-2
Makinzy Herzog| 1-for-4, HR, RBI
Shaylee Ackerman| 1-for-3, RBI
vs. Texas Tech
Shaylee Ackerman| 2-for-2, HR, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
vs. Colorado State
Grace Uribe (1-0) – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 6 SO, 2 BB
Makinzy Herzog (SAVE) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 SO, 0 BB
vs. Texas Tech
Makinzy Herzog (1-1) – 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 6 SO, BB