COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Senior pitcher Mel Dumezich threw her career-first no-hitter in game two as the No. 9 Texas A&M softball team (12-0) swept a doubleheader against Stephen F. Austin (4-9) with a pair of shutout wins Wednesday at the Aggie Softball Complex.
The Aggies had several records on the day, tying the program’s best start with a 12-0 record. Senior Meagan May hit her 56th-career home run in game one to tie the program record set by Megan Gibson. Sophomore Lauren Ainsley pitched a complete game in game one, throwing a career-best 11 strikeouts, and Dumezich’s no-hitter highlighted the twin bill.
The Aggies earned their sixth shutout win of the season in game one with a 3-0 victory over the Ladyjacks. Ainsley threw a complete game, tossing a career-high 11 strikeouts on the way to her fourth win of the season.
A triple to right field in the bottom of the first by junior Amber Garza scored May and junior Nicole Morgan for an early 2-0 A&M lead.
The Aggies’ only other run of the game came in the form of a solo home run by May, tying the Aggie career record at 56. The record was set by Aggie All-American Megan Gibson, who will travel to College Station Friday to compete against the Aggies as a UTSA assistant coach. May was 1-for-1 on the day with two walks and two runs scored.
Morgan and freshman Alex Masek each had base hits for the Aggies, while senior Mel Dumezich and junior Jenna Stark recorded doubles.
Ainsley (4-0) allowed four hits and walked three in game one. SFA’s Carlie Thomas (4-3) also threw a complete game, giving up three earned runs on six hits and four walks through six innings of work.
A&M jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first in game two. May, Morgan, junior Amber Garza and freshman Cali Lanphear each drew walks to force in a run as Lanphear picked up an RBI. With bases loaded, Dumezich pounded a three-RBI double into right-center.
A double to left-center by sophomore Brittany Clopton in the bottom of the fourth sent junior Jenna Stark home from second after reaching on a hit-by-pitch and stealing second. With Clopton on second, junior Emily Albus beat the throw for an infield single. A double steal put Albus at second and sent Clopton home for the 6-0 run.
Junior pinch hitter Kaydee Rayburn hit a bunt single in the bottom of the fifth before scoring from first on a double to right-center by Lanphear.
Leading 7-0, the Aggies got the run they needed for a run-rule win in the bottom of the sixth. Clopton drew a walk and was sent to third on a double to left by Albus. A fielder’s choice loaded the bases before an error by the SFA third baseman sent Clopton home for the 8-0 victory.
Albus was 3-for-3 on the game with a sacrifice hit, while Clopton was 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored. Dumezich’s three RBI added to one of the biggest games of her career.
Dumezich improves to 8-0 on the season with the win after striking out seven in the no-hitter. SFA’s Angela White (0-6) gave up seven earned runs on eight hits while walking five and striking out two.
The ninth-ranked Aggies host the annual Texas A&M Invitational this weekend when UTSA, Purdue and Southeastern Louisiana come to College Station. A&M will face UTSA first in a 3 p.m. game Friday.
The 12th Man Foundation is running a special ticket promotion for Aggie events this weekend. On Saturday, fans can take their men’s basketball tickets to Aggie softball for $3 General Admission tickets and/or to Aggie Baseball for $4 GA tickets. On Sunday, fans with baseball tickets can catch the Aggie softball game at noon for $3 by presenting their baseball ticket at the box office. Softball ticket holders can end the day with Aggie baseball for $4 by presenting their softball ticket at the box office.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to AggieAthletics and follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.