Win streak reaches seven as No. 11 Aggies top Cougars in five innings
Game #47: No. 11 Texas A&M 12, Houston 2 (5 innings)
Records: Texas A&M (38-9, 15-6), Houston (23-24, 3-18)
WP: Emiley Kennedy (20-7)
LP: Shelby Smith (10-11)
Box Score
An unusual Tuesday game called for some unusual plays but a usual Aggie softball win.
In their regular-season home finale, No. 11 Texas A&M dominated the Houston Cougars in run-rule fashion, 12-2, in five innings at Davis Diamond.
Once again, the Aggies proved that they show up to play no matter the opponent.
“We truly talk about what we need to do in the box,” Texas A&M head coach Trisha Ford said. “Are we hitting, defensively are our feet moving, are we getting turned? We only talk about ourselves. I feel like when you start to buy into that and figure that piece out you start to win all of these midweek games.”
Ford started Emily Leavitt in the circle for two innings before Emiley Kennedy finished out the remainder of the game. Kennedy — also known as “Lefty” — again was utilized in a bases-loaded two-out threat in which she successfully quelled.
“Lefty came in and settled things down,” Ford said. “I put her in some of these situations early in the season and I said all this is going to do is help her as the season goes on because I am going to keep putting her in there. I felt like tonight when she came in she was like, ‘Yeah, this is what I do and I’m going to get us out and then we can go score some runs.’”
Koko Wooley returned to the field after being sidelined the last six games with a hamstring issue.
Wooley said she was running at 85 percent but felt as if she was ready to return again.
Ford trusted her judgment, and Wooley reaffirmed that decision with a solid performance, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk.
In the top of the second, the Cougars had the bases loaded with two outs, and in an effort to throw down the runner at second base, Rylen Wiggins threw back to home as Julia Cottrill picked off the runner at third base.
However, it can never be that easy.
In a successful challenge by Houston, obstruction was called on the play, and the Aggies were still under pressure.
In the next play, Wooley made a diving stop for the forceout at second base to extinguish the threat.
“I go one speed, and it’s fast,” Wooley said. “Sometimes it haunts me and sometimes it’s good. It is really hard to stop the brakes sometimes.”
In the bottom of the second frame, another obstruction challenge was called but this time by A&M.
After Wiggins doubled to left field, she advanced to third base on the throw and was called safe.
Wooley tried to steal home but was initially called out. Ultimately, the call was overturned, and Wooley and Hailey Golden both scored to extend the lead, 2-0.
The next two runs came as a result of two errors committed by the Cougars’ infielders.
Amari Harper tripled and scored on a throwing error along with Kennedy Powell.
Houston responded via a Shelby Smith RBI groundout and Jazmyn Rollin sac fly to cut A&M’s advantage, 5-2.
After Jazmine Hill’s RBI single, Trinity Cannon launched her twelfth homer of the year to plate Scout Lovell and Hill.
To follow, Wiggins smashed her ninth home run as she sent one to the scoreboard and added three more runs to the Aggies’ lead, 12-2.
With just three outs separating A&M from taking its 38th win of the season, Kennedy recorded back-to-back strikeouts to start the fifth. Houston’s Bethany Aguilar grounded out to second, and the Aggies concluded their final regular season game at home.
“I love this place honestly,” Ford said. “This year in the regular season, it has been a really special venue and the 12th Man has been tremendous. I feel like you can see that in our record at home. We take care of the field and the 12th Man takes care of everything else.”
Texas A&M will now face Sam Houston on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
