By: Delaney Duke, Texas A&M Athletics Communications
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M softball defeated the University of Houston, 9-1, in six innings Tuesday night at Davis Diamond. The Aggies improve to 29-13, while the Cougars drop to 13-28 on the year. This victory marks the Maroon & White’s ninth run-rule win of the 2021 season.
Kayla Poynter got the start in the circle and went 3.0 innings. The senior surrendered five hits, while handing out five strikeouts to record her ninth win of the year. Grace Uribe tossed the last three innings in a one-hit outing to collect her first save of her career.
The Aggies tallied a pair of runs in the first two frames before adding a three-run blow in the fourth inning courtesy of Shaylee Ackerman’s 12th homer this season.
Haley Lee moves into sole possession of fifth place with 19 home runs in a single season in program history, while ranking fourth in the nation. The junior blasted two on the night, marking her fourth game this season she has tallied more than one home run.
As a duo, Lee and Ackerman have now homered in four games together this year.
Six Aggies delivered hits with Morgan Smith, Lee and Herzog leading the offense with two apiece.
KEY INNINGS
B1 | With one out, Makinzy Herzog drew a four-pitch walk and came around to score on Morgan Smith’s double to left field. Ashlynn Walls laced a shot to second base plating Morgan Smith. A&M 2, UH 0
B2 | In solo shot fashion, Haley Lee launched her 18th dinger of the year over the right field wall. Herzog followed that with a single through the right side and moved up a base on Morgan Smith’s error causing groundball. Shaylee Ackerman loaded the bases on a walk and Warren used an RBI groundout to score Herzog. A&M 4, UH 0
T3 | Lindsey Stewart-Vaughn sent a single through the right side and moved over to second on a wild pitch. A single by Sarah Queen got the Cougars on the board. A&M 4, UH 1
B4 | Herzog sent her second hit of the game up the middle before Morgan Smith could bump her up a base on an infield single. Ackerman blasted a three-run shot over the centerfield wall to extend the Aggies lead. A&M 7, UH 1
B6 | Lee belted her second home run of the game over the left field wall to leadoff the frame. A trio of walks to Herzog, Morgan Smith and Ackerman loaded the bases. Walls delivered the fielder’s choice groundout to force the throwing error at the plate to cause the walk-off. A&M 9, UH 1
Top Offensive Players:
Haley Lee | 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI
Morgan Smith | 2-for-3, RBI
Shaylee Ackerman | 1-for-2, HR, 3 RBI
Ashlynn Walls | 1-for-4, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Kayla Poynter (9-4) – 3.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 SO, 0 BB
Grace Uribe (Save) – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 SO, 0 BB