OLLEGE STATION, Texas – The No. 23 Texas A&M softball team (25-9, 7-5 SEC) earned an 11-5 victory against the No. 5 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday in Tuscaloosa.
Neither A&M nor Alabama managed to catch a break in the first inning, but started posting numbers on the scoreboard in the top of the second.
The Aggies started with freshman Ashley Walters, reaching first on a walk, before junior Cali Lanphearcame to the plate to hammer her third homerun of the season and give A&M the first lead of the game, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. With two runs and one hit by the middle of the second, the Aggies took to defense allowing two singles and run before they shutting down the Alabama attack.
Coming into the third inning, freshman Erica Russell knocked one down for her first of the day, but was left stranded as Alabama took down the next three Aggie batters. The Crimson Tide managed to crank out a single, steal second and advanced to third, which allowed a sacrifice fly to bring a runner in for Alabama’s second run to tie the game. Fast glove-action on a line drive by freshman Tori Vidales ended the inning.
Walters opened up the visitor portion of the fourth with a long ball to the center wall, moving her to second, and a single up the middle from sophomore April Ryan put runners on the corners. Junior Cali Lanphear joined the two on the bags after being walked. With bases loaded, sophomore Abby Donnell took the plate for her second at bat, forcing it to the shortstop for a run and a single, but out went Ryan on the play. Russell followed suit with a single of her own, sending Donnell home for the second run of the inning. After a single from senior Brittany Cloptonloaded the bases, freshman Kristen Cuyos crushed a single which scratched two more runs across home for the Maroon and White. End of the visiting half saw four runs on five hits, Aggies leading 6-2.
Alabama came out hot, retaliating with a leadoff single. A fast-acting defensive play from catcher Ashley Walters to first and a fly ball to Clopton brought the Tide to two outs with a runner on second. A walk brought the bases to maximum capacity, inviting a soaring hit to score for a two RBI single, closing the gap to 6-5. Walters made the last out to get the Aggies out of a jam and send the game into the fifth inning.
Walters and Ryan each took a walk down the first baseline, sitting tight until Lanphear smashed a three-run homer on her second at bat of the game, bringing her to five RBI and four runs in the game. With one gone, Donnell shot a single right past a diving shortstop and advanced to second after a walk from Russell. A line drive catch to second baseman and toss to first ended the inning with two runs, three hits and two runners left on to give the Aggies a 9-5 lead
It did not take long for the determined Aggies to find their way to the top of the sixth. After a flying ground ball towards shortstop put one on the base for UA, Reagan Boenker stepped in as first baseman and notched her first put out quickly. A&M quickly knocked out two more outs to flip the field.
With a double from Vidales putting her in scoring position, a pop fly and a line drive left her stranded in the top of the sixth. The Crimson Tide came up and faced defensive plays by Vidales, Ryan and Boenker to find themselves with two outs and none on base. Third batter up snagged a hit, but the team could not take advantage of it as they also left one runner on to move into the top of the seventh.
Boenker started the Aggies off and nailed a hit down the third base line, making it to second on a fielding error. A short hit single and a walk from Lanphear and Donnell filled the bags, giving Russell the opportunity to hammer it down the left side, forcing an error and bringing in two runs. Two strikeouts and a fly brought the inning to an end but the Aggies extended their lead by two.
Driven off of their success this game, pitcher Katie Marks and A&M defense retired the Crimson Tide in order and took the final game of the series 1—5.
All seven innings were pitched by junior Katie Marks who did a phenomenal job of leading the team and setting the pace. As the winning pitcher, she took on eight hits, five earned runs and five walks.
Coach Evans Post Game Sound
“I love my kids. I thought our ball club fought really hard today. We didn’t get down. Every time they scored, we figured out a way to get something done. Just really proud of our kids, especially Katie Marks.”
Let’s Hear a Hullabaloo
…for staying strong in the face of adversity. Junior Katie Marks went the distance for the Aggies on Sunday and kept her cool through seven innings. Every time the Tide tried to chip into the A&M lead, Marks stepped up to the rubber and shut down the threat, giving her team every opportunity to stay ahead and earn the win. Gig ‘em, Katie!
Coach Evans on Marks:
“I am so excited for Katie. I don’t know if I could’ve been more excited for a player if not that kid right there. She’s fought really hard. She wants it and works so hard. Just with the way our team went behind her, it feels great to have her get that win and four our team to step up and get some runs for her.”
Up Next
The Aggies take on Stephen F. Austin in double-header at home Wednesday night. Follow along with live stats at 12thMan.com and @AggieSoftball on Twitter for all the hits, pitches and everything in between during the 2015 softball season.