No. 10 Aggies take Sunday's rubber match over SEC foe, No. 4 LSU

College Station - On Sunday afternoon, in front of 1,245 fans, the Aggies closed out their first conference series of the year over No. 4 LSU. Samantha Show (16-3; 2.91 ERA) threw 129 pitches before Kayla Ober stepped in to finish the game. 

The Aggies took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first, thanks to a three-run home run to right field from senior Cali Lanphear, her eighth of the season.  

With one out, back-to-back stolen bases and a walk from Lanphear loaded bases for the Aggies, forcing the Tigers to make a pitching change. The Tigers relief pitcher was unable to deliver and sophomore Kristen Cuyos was walked to score Milligan and extend the Aggies lead to 4-0. 

The Tigers' offense managed just a single run in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back stolen bases put two runners in scoring position before left fielder Elyse Thornhill's sacrifice fly scored the runner from third. 

A&M responded quickly and powerfully in the bottom of the fourth. Milligan extended her NCAA stolen base lead when she notched her 34th of the season before freshman Kaitlyn Alderink singled to center field and advanced to second on the throw. Sophomore, Tori Vidales popped up to earn the first out of the inning, then the Aggies drew three consecutive walks to score three. 

The Tigers pulled out their Dr. Suess and Iron man rally caps to load the bases in the top of the sixth with just one out. A walk, a HBP, and a single loaded the bases for Sandra Simmons, who singled to right field to put one across. Constance Quinn singled to center and advanced on the throw to score Amber Serrett and Elyse Thornhill, before Bianka Bell singled to right field to score Simmons. The Aggies shifted the momentum when they earned their 10th double play of the season to end the Tigers scoring chances. 

LSU was forced to put away its rally hats in the sixth when the Aggies scored two more to take the win, 9-5, and the series, 2-1.

A&M returns to action March 25-March 27 in Athens, Georgia to take on the Georgia Bulldogs.