Story by Texas A&M Communications
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M softball continued its play in the Davis Diamond Classic securing wins over Louisiana Tech, 7-2 and Montana 6-0 on Saturday at Davis Diamond. This marks the Aggies 10th shutout of the season.
Texas A&M improves to 17-3, while Montana and Louisiana Tech drop to 5-13 and 5-11, respectively.
In game one, the Maroon & White began the first inning with a trio of hits, highlighted by a Bre Warren RBI single, to get the Aggies off to an early 1-0 lead.
Louisiana Tech responded in the second inning with a two-run home run courtesy of Tanjala Smith.
In the third, the Aggies evened it up at two, scoring a run off a laced double by Warren.
With two runners in scoring position, Trinity Cannon caught a screaming shot down the third base line to hold the runners in the top of the fifth.
The Aggie bats started to roll in the fifth and sixth inning, recording a combined six hits and five runs to reach a commanding 7-2 lead.
In the circle, Kelsey Broadus secured the win, moving to 3-1 on the season. The lefty allowed only two runs and one hit in her 5.0 innings of work. Makinzy Herzog tossed 2.0 innings to record the save.
In game two against Montana, Herzog led the game off with a double down the left field line and swapped places with Warren after finding the open green, which grabbed an early 1-0 lead.
The Aggies compiled three runs through the second and third innings, highlighted off of a Rylen Wiggins double laced to right field.
In the sixth, Kelly Martinez belted a two-run homer to left centerfield. The senior was a single away from hitting the cycle on the night.
Kayla Poynter got the start in the circle for the Aggies and tossed the complete seven. The right-hander scattered five hits, while handing out two strikeouts.
The offense recorded seven doubles against the Grizzlies. The last time the Aggies have done this was against Oklahoma State on April 12, 2006.
Nine of the 10 Texas A&M base hits against Montana were for extras.
Herzog went 4-for-4 with one run, two RBI, and two doubles in the first game of the day. The junior added another double in game two, finishing the day with three.
KEY INNINGS
vs. La Tech
B1 | Makinzy Herzog began the inning with a leadoff double to left center and advanced to third off a wild pitch. Bre Warren singled to right field to score Herzog. Texas A&M 1, La Tech 0
T2 | Kylie Neel reached first on a fielding error, and moved over to second off a fielder’s choice. With two outs, Tanjala Smith hit a two-run shot off the scoreboard in left field. La Tech 2, Texas A&M 1
B3 | Rylen Wiggins singled to the shortstop. Makinzy Herzog singled through the right side to advance Wiggins, who stole third on the following at-bat. Bre Warren doubled to right field to plate Wiggins. Texas A&M 2, La Tech 2
B5 | Mariana Torres singled up the middle. Makinzy Herzog hit an RBI double to left field, plating Torres.
Texas A&M 3, La Tech 2
B6 | Haley Lee doubled to left center. Taudrea Sinnie replaced Lee to pinch run, and stole third. Trinity Cannon walked. Madi Jatzlau came in to pinch run for Cannon at second. Kelbi Fortenberry plated Sinnie off a groundout to second base. Back-to-back RBI singles by Morgan Smith and Mariana Torres followed, bringing Jatzlau and Smith home, respectively. Jourdyn Campbell pinch hit for Rylen Wiggins and walked. Makinzy Herzog singled up the middle to bring in the fourth A&M run of the inning.
Texas A&M 7, La Tech 2
vs. Montana
B1 | Makinzy Herzog and Bre Warren opened the frame with back-to-back doubles, Herzog scored. Texas A&M 1, Montana 0
B2 | Morgan Smith doubled before Mariana Torres grounded out. Kelly Martinez tripled to right field, scoring Morgan Smith. Martinez scored after Rylen Wiggins roped a double down the right field line. Texas A&M 3, Montana 0
B3 | Haley Lee singled before Shaylee Ackerman produced a double down the left field line, advancing Lee to third. Trinity Cannon’s sacrifice fly advanced Ackerman and plated Lee. Texas A&M 4, Montana 0
B6 | Torres walked and Kelly Martinez homered to left center. Texas A&M 6, Montana 0
Top Offensive Players:
vs. Louisiana Tech
Makinzy Herzog|4- for-4, 2 RBI
Bre Warren| 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Mariana Torres| 2-for-3, RBI
vs. Montana
Kelly Martinez|3-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Rylen Wiggins|1-for-2, RBI
Bre Warren| 1-for-4, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
vs. Louisiana Tech
Kelsey Broadus (3-1) – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 SO, 5 BB
Makinzy Herzog (Save) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 SO, 1 BB
vs. Montana
Kayla Poynter (4-0) – 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 SO, 0 BB
TEXAS A&M QUOTES
Head Coach Jo Evans
Opening statement…
“The great thing with our pitchers is they’re not having to be perfect. We’re able to score runs. Kelsey (Broadus) I didn’t think was her sharpest tonight, but still managed to get herself out of some jams and (Makinzy) Herzog came in and did a really nice job to shut that down. It’s so nice to have a deep staff like that, that can come in relief and be comfortable in those situations. I like the way we’re swinging the bat. Game two, I thought Kayla Poynter looked really good. I think that’s definitely the best she’s thrown all year and had complete command of her pitches. I thought Mariana Torres played a really nice second base, in terms of being where she supposed to be. Those freshmen just fit right in. Trinity Cannon had a phenomenal day, a great day at the plate. Defensively very, very good. She’s a quick kid, she’s got a great arm, her feet are good, and I thought she put on a really nice defensive display. Happy for Kelly Martinez to get out there and go three-for-three and nearly hit the cycle, and just did some really good things tonight. All in all, just feels like we’re getting better every game, I’ll say that.”
Junior Pitcher Makinzy Herzog
On her batting average in the last couple of games…
“I have just been working hard. I was in a little bit of a struggle there for a little bit, but we finally figured out what I was doing and I am glad we figured it out and it played into today’s game and the last couple of games.”
On the extra base hits…
“It’s been crazy, we are just really working gap to gap. We are just big about doing damage on the field and that is what we did today.”