COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The No. 9 Texas A&M softball team (31-7) completed its series sweep of Colorado State (17-17) with a 10-2, five-inning run-rule victory, Sunday in the non-conference series finale.
A six-run bottom of the second gave the Aggies an early lead on the Rams. Senior Meagan May took advantage of a runner-on-base situation with a home run over left field for the 2-0 lead. A pair of walks drawn by junior Amber Garza and sophomore Brittany Clopton set the table for Junior Emily Albus to load the bases as she hit an infield single. Attempting to get Albus out with a late throw, the CSU shortstop overthrew first and each runner advanced, sending Garza home for the third run of the half-inning.
A triple pounded to centerfield by junior Cassie Tysarczyk cleared the bases as A&M improved to a 5-0 advantage over Colorado State. Tysarczyk scored the final run of the inning on a single through the left side by senior Mel Dumezich.
CSU picked up its first hit of the game in the top of the third with a double hit to the wall in right field. The Rams put two in scoring position with no outs in the half-inning, but Dumezich threw a runner out at first and tossed two strikeouts to end the inning with the shutout intact.
In the bottom of the inning, Garza and Clopton again drew back-to-back walks before a two-out double by Tysarczyk plated the pair for the 8-0 lead. The Aggie right fielder was 2-for-3 on the day with two runs and four RBI.
A double to left in the next at-bat by junior Nicole Morgan scored Tysarczyk from second before a third double in as many at-bats, by Dumezich, sent Morgan in and gave the Aggies a 10-0 lead.
The Rams got on the board in the top of the fourth on a two-out home run over left. The two-RBI jack narrowed the score to 10-2 and was the only offensive attack of the game by the Rams.
In the top of the fifth with two outs and a runner on base, May threw down from behind the plate as quick-footed second baseman Alex Masek snagged the ball and tagged the CSU runner out at second for the game-ending pickoff.
Dumezich (22-5) started the game and earned the win after allowing no runs on one hit while striking out five. Freshman Kristen Davenport threw two innings of relief, giving up two earned runs on three hits. CSU’s Holly Reinke (4-5) tossed 2.1 innings and gave up eight earned runs on five hits and six walks for the loss.
The Aggies host Lamar in a midweek doubleheader Tuesday at 5 p.m. before jumping back into conference action at home against LSU this weekend. Saturday’s game will be aired on ESPN, and Sunday’s contest is set to be broadcast on FSN. 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