Garza Homers Twice in 9-1 Run-Rule of Texas State

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Junior Amber Garza hit two home runs, including a grand slam, as the No. 9 Texas A&M softball team (27-5) run-ruled Texas State (5-26), 9-1 in five innings in a Tuesday non-conference match-up at the Aggie Softball Complex.

Garza owned six of the Aggies’ eight RBI on the night, clearing the fence in the second and third innings. The third baseman entered the game with just three home runs and 13 RBI on the season.

The first of Garza’s long balls came in the bottom of the second inning with one runner on base. Junior Jenna Stark drew a walk and was sent home when Garza topped the wall in right-center field.

The power-hitter cleared the bases with another bomb in the bottom of the third for the 8-1 lead after Texas State scored its lone run on an RBI single.

In the bottom of the inning, junior Emily Albus led off, reaching on an error and stealing second before Senior Meagan May pushed her home on an RBI single. May advanced to second on the throw home and was joined on the bags by junior Nicole Morgan, who sped to first on an infield single.

With two outs, junior Jenna Stark sent a base hit to left field and picked up an RBI as May scored the 4-1 run. Another single, slapped high over the first baseman by freshman Cali Lanphear loaded the bases as Garza stepped up to the plate. Garza was 2-for-2 on the night with two runs scored and six RBI.

Leading 8-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Albus again led off, this time reaching on an infield single. The speedy junior was thrown out in the next at-bat as junior Cassie Tysarczyk reached on a fielder’s choice. A walk drawn by May put runners on first and second as junior Allison Garrett entered to pinch run for the senior catcher.

Tysarczyk and Garrett moved into scoring position on a passed ball before an illegal pitch sent Tysarczyk home for the unearned, 9-1 run.

Texas State had no answer for the diligent Aggie offense, earning just four hits on the day in the one-run effort.

Sophomore Lauren Ainsley (9-2) earned the win, allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk from the circle. Bobcat pitcher Rayn House (2-12) drew the loss, giving up two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three in 3.1 innings of work.

The Aggies will return to Southeastern Conference play this weekend, hosting No. 4 Alabama in a three-game series starting Friday at 7 p.m. Central. To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to AggieAthletics.com and follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.

Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics

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