No. 9 Aggie Softball claws back to top No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats, 4-3

The No.9 Texas A&M Aggies (36-9, 9-5 SEC) were down but not out and came from behind to defeat the No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats, 4-3, in the bottom of the 7th at the Aggie Softball Complex Saturday afternoon.

The Aggies trailed for the majority of the game but tied it in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs on an RBI single to center field by Erica Russell, which scored Kaitlin Aldernik. Then,  with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, it was Aldernik’s turn. She smacked a double over the shortstop to score Sarah Hudek from second base to seal the second game of the series.

“I’ve seen the pitcher once, but I haven’t seen a strike yet, so I was going to wait until I saw a strike, and the next pitch that came was right in my zone where I was looking to be aggressive,” Aldernik said. “It was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions, but it's all about taking one at a time. You know, see ball, hit ball.”

The Wildcats drew first blood in the top of the second inning when Abbey Cheek hit a two-run homerun to center. Kentucky wasn’t done there. Bailey Vick then notched an RBI single to center field, scoring Mallory Payton from third and putting the Wildcats up, 3-0.

Kayla Poytner, who started the game, was pulled soon after and pitched an inning and two thirds on the day, allowing four hits and three runs and recording two strikeouts.

Brianna Hillman, TexAgs

Texas A&M pitcher Lexi Smith came on in relief in the second inning and allowed just four hits in over five innings of work.

A&M coach Jo Evans brought in Lexi Smith to stop the bleeding.

With the bases loaded, Smith got Katie Reed to foul out to Ashley Walters.

"When something like this happens, you just have to be always be ready. We’re always here to back up our pitchers to help pick up the slack,” Smith said.

A&M turned the tide when Ashley Walters belted a two-run home run to right field to score Tori Vidales, cutting the Wildcat lead to 3-2.

Smith then took the reins of the game, holding the Wildcats to four hits, throwing five and a third innings, striking out ten batters and only allowing two walks. She notched her seventh win of the season and lowered her ERA to 1.34 in the win.

"They’re all really good hitters, so I had to stay on top of my stuff that I was throwing.” Smith, who said. “With that last inning and allowing those two runners, I knew I had to stay on the outer half of the plate and to give the confidence to walk it off really is huge for us, sealing the win and the series."

Texas A&M head coach Jo Evans was pleased with her team's performance and fight.

"To see all of our performers is really something to see from Walters going opposite field, Smith really coming back and then to Aldernik tieing the game and then winning it is really what makes this win sweet to take this series.” Evans said.  “This is what it's all about. Go out and have fun with it with your friends. Never be stressed when it comes down to it. I should be the one that’s stressed. Don’t let it be them, and they’re playing the game they love to celebrate.”

The Aggies return to the diamond tomorrow for their final game at the Aggie Softball Complex at 2 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on the SEC Network.