Softball: Aggies walk off disappointed, lose game and series to UT

COLLEGE STATION -- Sometimes all it takes is one swing and the game changes drastically. 

That was the case today as the fourth ranked Tennessee Lady Volunteers had one big swing for a three run home run, and never looked back, sealing a 5-3 victory on Sunday and a 2-1 series victory over the 21st ranked Texas A&M Aggies.

Coming off of a 15-2 thumping, run-rule loss on Saturday, the Aggies came out in redemption mode. In the bottom of the second inning, Nicole Morgan opened it up by tripling to right field. Soon after, Breanna Dozier knocked one right between the pitcher's legs and scored Morgan. After April Ryan singled to advance Dozier, freshman Reagan Boenker, starting for the injured Amber Garza, singled as well, batting in both Dozier and Ryan. That gave the Aggies a comfortable 3-0 lead, but one that would not last.

The Lady Vols scored one in the top of the fourth inning, but did a lot more damage in the fifth. 

With two runners on base, that one power swing by Annie Aldrete sailed over the wall, and gave the Lady Vols the lead the would never again relinquish.

"To me, the difference in the game is in the fifth inning," Coach Jo Evans said of the game. "[The Lady Vols] were set up for a great opportunity and they made the most of it. The kid hits a long ball, a timely hit, and they get three runs."

The Aggies had a great chance to make a move in the next inning with the bases loaded, but Jenna Stark grounded into a double play which ended the inning.

When it was all said and done, Tennessee did add another run to complete the day and take an all-important SEC series. Tennessee has not lost on a Sunday all season long. There's a reason they're top five in the nation.

With only two SEC series remaining for the Aggies, it was crucial to take care of business at home. Number six ranked Florida Gators come into tow next weekend, so it doesn't get any easier. An away series at Auburn will wrap up SEC play, and winning one or both of those series will go a long way in determining seeding for SEC's and NCAA's.

Up next, the Aggies will host Texas A&M Corpus Christi for a Tuesday mid-week doubleheader. 

Player of the Game: While the Aggies did lose, you have to applaud the effort of true freshman Reagan Boenker. The Bryan product was filling in for the injured Amber Garza, a regular in the starting lineup. Boenker not only had two RBI's, but had some spectacular plays in the field, including robbing a single with a snow cone grab. The ESPN commentators had nothing but great things to say about Boenker, and it appears she will be a future star in the years to come for the Aggies.