Aggies run-ruled by sixth-ranked Gators in Sunday finale, 11-3

After a 2-3 loss on Friday and a 5-0 shutout win on Saturday, the Aggies fell in the final game of the weekend series against No. 6 Florida, 11-3.

The Gators struck first on a wild pitch in the first inning, but in the bottom half, the Aggies responded with a run of their own. Sophomore Trinity Cannon’s sacrifice fly sent freshman Koko Wooley home, tying the game 1-1.

After an uneventful second inning, the Aggies secured the lead in the third as senior Haley Lee singled to drive in Wooley.

Florida quickly demanded control of the game, and the wheels began to fall off for the Aggies. With runners on first and second, Florida’s Cheyenne Lindsey homered. The three-run home run gave the Gators a 4-2 advantage.

“One inning is not going to define us,” Texas A&M head coach Jo Evans said. “I thought that we fought hard. We literally had a chance to win this series.”

Madelyn Giles, TexAgs

Haley Lee finished 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.

Freshman pitcher Emiley Kennedy was relieved by sophomore Grace Uribe, but Florida’s bats continued to dominate. The Gators tacked on two more runs in the fourth plus two runs in the fifth, upping the lead to 8-2.

A&M had no answer until Lee launched a solo blast, creating momentum for the Aggies. Lee’s homer was the first allowed by Florida right-handed pitcher Elizabeth Hightower this season.

“Haley Lee was great,” Evans said. “You look at what she does, day in and day out, at-bat after at-bat. Yesterday, they walked her every time. Today, she gets up there and gets three RBIs on the day. I love her leadership. I love the kid, and I think she deserves every accolade she gets.”

In the sixth, junior pitcher Shaylee Ackerman relieved Uribe in the circle. With two runners on, Florida’s Charla Elchols nailed another three-run home run over the scoreboard, hammering the final nail in the coffin, 11-3.

Three errors by the Aggies helped the Gators gain momentum as Florida secured the series victory.

The Aggies will return to Davis Diamond on Wednesday, March 23, as they take a break from SEC play against HBU. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

“We get a chance to come right back in a few days and play a game, and I expect us to come out and be ready,” Evans said. “The midweeks are always opportunities for us to feel better about ourselves, get innings for everybody and get on the winning side.”