COLLEGE STATION – The No. 7 Texas A&M softball team swept Sam Houston State, 9-1 and 3-0, Wednesday night at the Aggie Softball Complex.
The Aggies (14-2) struck first in game one, scoring three runs in the bottom half of the first. Riley Sartain hit a two-RBI double to center, scoring Kaitlyn Alderink and Tori Vidales, before Sarah Hudek drove in Sartain on a triple.
In the second, the Aggies tacked onto their lead as Vidales doubled home Kristen Cuyos and Erica Russell.
The Bearkats (3-11) cut into the lead in the fourth as Sheridan Fisher scored on a double play. Texas A&M responded with three runs in the fourth on a fielder’s choice, RBI single and sacrifice fly to give the Maroon & White an 8-1 lead.
Blake-Ann Fritsch clinched the game, scoring on a groundout to put the run rule into effect. Trinity Harrington earned the win, giving up three hits and striking out two in five innings of work.
In the nightcap, Texas A&M used timely hitting in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs with two outs. Vidales drew a walk and moved to second on an Ashley Walters single to right. After Riley Sartain walked on four pitches to load the bases, Hudek plated Vidales and Walters on base hit to right.
Cuyos added to the lead in the fourth with a RBI double to left center, scoring Hudek.
Samantha Show stymied the Bearkat offense, allowing just three hits with six strikeouts in her first shutout of the season.
Top Offensive Players:
Sarah Hudek | 4-5, 2 2B, 3B, 3 RBI
Tori Vidales | 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB
Kristen Cuyos | 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Pitching Breakdown:
Trinity Harrington (W, 4-1, 1.43 ERA) | 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 K
Samantha Show (W, 4-1, 2.25 ERA) | 7.0 IP, 3 H, 6 K
WHAT THEY SAID
Texas A&M Head Coach Jo Evans
On the pitching performances by Trinity Harrington and Samantha Show…
“I thought they both looked really good. At least the first inning, maybe in the second, Trin never even threw a ball. Just strikes early and getting outs, and that’s what we want. We want her to throw ground balls, and let us make plays. Sam was terrific out here tonight. She’s doing a nice job of throwing several different pitches for strikes, which is going to make her so solid and tough. I thought her composure was really good. She backed up that Washington game, came out here and threw really well.”
On Sarah Hudek…
“She’s lights out. I know she’s really disappointed that she didn’t hit that second one out. It’s interesting tonight because the wind’s blowing out, but the air is so heavy. That’s what’s working against the hitters tonight. But she was just right on the ball. She’s seeing the ball great. She’s aggressive. She was getting really good cuts. That’s a kid who makes us go. She’s been really good so far this season, and I love the way she plays the game.”
On Bob Brock…
“It felt good to be able to acknowledge him and recognize all that he did when he was at A&M. It doesn’t go unnoticed. What’s important to me is that he understands I know what legacy is all about, and he left a great legacy here, and the players that he recruited did. I’m just fortunate to be the one who’s here coaching this ballclub, so it was nice to be able to tip our hat to him, and for our kids to recognize this is Bob Brock. He was here coaching, and those championship trophies in there; he had a lot to do with that. It was great to have him here.”
ON DECK
The Aggies host the A&M Invite, which features Louisiana Tech, Texas State and Utah. Action begins Friday at 10 a.m. against Utah and Texas State.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics