No. 16 seed Ags host Bobcats, Nittany Lions & Great Danes at Davis

What: Bryan-College Station Regional 
Who: #1 Texas A&M, #2 Texas State, #3 Penn State, #4 Albany
Where: Davis Diamond – Bryan-College Station, Texas
When:

• Friday: 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT (ESPNU & ESPN+)
• Saturday: 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. CT (TV TBD)
• Sunday: TBD (TV TBD)

#1 Texas A&M Aggies

• RPI: 15
• Record: 40-13 (15-9 SEC)
• Team average: .306
• Team ERA: 2.59
• Fielding percentage: .975
• Offense: 7.35 runs/game
• Defense: 2.75 runs/game

Top Pitchers

• Emiley Kennedy (21-10, 1.68 ERA, 25 starts)
• Shaylee Ackerman (8-1, 3.01 ERA, 14 starts)

Top Hitters

• Koko Wooley (.366 avg, .448 slug, 11 RBI, 1 HR)
• Amari Harper (.348 avg, .459 OBP)
• Trinity Cannon (.338 avg, .494 OBP, 52 RBI, 15 HR)
• Allie Enright (.331 avg, 41 RBI, 10 HR)

Scouting Texas A&M

Texas A&M has all the makings of a typical top-16 national seed.

The Aggies are led by star pitcher Emiley Kennedy — also known as “Lefty” — in the circle, who sports an impressive 1.68 ERA with a 21-10 record. Additionally, Kennedy’s 100.1 innings pitched and 86 strikeouts in SEC play are the most all-time by an Aggie in a season. For A&M to advance, it is crucial to receive quality outings from Kennedy and win the free base war.

At the plate, eight of A&M’s nine in the starting lineup are hitting over .295 heading into the NCAA Tournament. A&M has also taken advantage of the long ball often, as Trinity Cannon leads the team with a career-high 15, while Allie Enright and Rylen Wiggins have knocked out 10 apiece.

Ranking No. 22 in the country in slugging percentage, A&M will need to show its power in the box against a grouping of solid pitching staffs and look to uphold their 24-2 record at Davis Diamond in front of the 12th Man.

#2 Texas State Bobcats

• RPI: 17
• Record: 43-13 (18-6 SBC)
• Team average: .295
• Team ERA: 1.86
• Fielding percentage: .962
• Offense: 5.09 runs/game
• Defense: 2.32 runs/game

Top Pitchers

• Jessica Mullins (30-7, 1.31 ERA, 34 starts)
• Madison Azua (9-5, 2.32 ERA, 15 starts)

Top Hitters

• Hannah Earls (.366 avg, 12 RBI, .413 OBP)
• Sara Vanderford (.360 avg, 48 RBI, 11 HR)
• Anna Jones (.319 avg, .380 OBP, 31 RBI)
• JJ Smith (.308 avg, 40 RBI, 10 HR)

Scouting Texas State

Familiar with the field of the Bryan-College Station Regional, Ricci Woodard's Texas State squad took down Texas A&M earlier this season in a 4-3 midweek outing right after sweeping Penn State in early March.

Since then, the Bobcats remained dominant in league play and took home the Sun Ben Conference Tournament crown to secure an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. Texas State is perhaps the most dangerous No. 2 in any regional, sitting right behind the Aggies at No. 17 in RPI.

Jessica Mullins has been a consistent star in San Marcos, holding a 213 to 48 strikeout-to-walk ratio and has only given up seven home runs this season.

Although the offensive numbers are by no means eye-popping, the Bobcats’ veteran-heavy lineup has proved they can not only play with the big dogs but also beat them.

#3 Penn State Nittany Lions

• RPI: 38
• Record: 34-18 (12-11 Big Ten)
• Team average: .279
• Team ERA: 3.52
• Fielding percentage: .962
• Offense: 4.85 runs/game
• Defense: 4.08 runs/game

Top Pitchers

• Bridget Nemeth (22-6, 1.77 ERA, 22 starts)
• Mady Volpe (8-8, 4.52 ERA, 19 starts)

Top Hitters

• Kaitlyn Morrison (.340 avg, .633 slug, 26 RBI)
• Gaby Garcia (.336 avg, 41 RBI, 11 HR)
• Maddie Gordon (.333 avg, 38 RBI, 11 HR)
• Lianna Jones (.307 avg, .406 OBP, 37 RBI)

Scouting Penn State

After a 13-year NCAA Tournament drought, Penn State softball is back in the field of 64 following a seventh-place finish in the Big Ten. The postseason appearance comes courtesy of a 34-win season, guided by 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Bridget Nemeth.

The Nittany Lions’ rookie has been a force in the circle with a 1.71 ERA and has tied Penn State’s single-season victories program record. Additionally, Penn State was notably missing the services of Nemeth when regional opponent Texas State swept them earlier in the season.

Coached by four-year skipper Clarisa Crowell, Penn State also brings a trio of second-team All-Big Ten position players, all with an OPS north of 1.000.

#4 Albany Great Danes

• RPI: 111
• Record: 33-12 (14-6 AEC)
• Team average: .289
• Team ERA: 2.58
• Fielding percentage: .968
• Offense: 5.24 runs/game
• Defense: 2.97 runs/game

Top Pitchers

• Wendi Hammond (24-8, 1.91 ERA, 27 starts)
• Kate Powers (9-3, 2.29 ERA, 14 starts)

Top Hitters

• Morgan Petty (.376 avg, 36 RBI, 9 HR)
• Caitlyn Mitros (.371 avg, .441 OBP)
• Maddi Petrella (.356 avg, 42 RBI, 9 HR)
• Victoria Vilarchao (.304 avg, .400 OBP, 29 RBI)

Scouting Albany

In her 30th year at the helm, Chris Cannata and her America East Tournament champion Albany softball team will venture to Bryan-College Station for the very first time.

Earning their program’s eighth conference title, the Great Danes enter the big dance after a 33-12 year with plenty of senior leadership within the lineup.

Named the America East Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, graduate Morgan Petty leads the team in batting average, OPS and OBP and is tied for home runs and total bases. Wendi Hammond highlights the Great Dane pitching staff, sporting a 1.14 WHIP and led the conference in ERA.