Softball: Aggies get swept by Florida; lose Sunday 8-0

COLLEGE STATION – If you thought yesterday’s thumping was bad, you can go ahead and stop reading now.

It only gets worse from here.

On Sunday’s SEC series finale, the fifth ranked Florida Gators defeated the 21^st ranked Texas A&M Aggies 8-0 in six innings. It was the second consecutive run-rule decision of this series, both in favor of the Gators. Today’s Gator win cleans up the series sweep for them, all in dominant fashion.

Matt Sachs, TexAgs The Aggies could not get the bats going today, leaving with only one hit on the day. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"left","Size":"large","Caption":"The Aggies could not get the bats going today, leaving with only one hit on the day.","MediaItemID":42956}

In the other two games this series, Aggie pitchers Rachel Fox and Katie Marks really struggle with getting off to a good start. The second and third hitters for Florida, in the first two games, both hit home runs in their first at-bat in the first inning. It seemed only fitting that today, Kelsey Stewart, Florida’s leadoff hitter, smashed one over the fence in her first at-bat.

From there, Taran Tyler lost a ball in the sun, putting another runner on base. The next hitter, Stephanie Tofft also homered, putting the score at 3-0 before the Aggies could even react.

There were no more home runs in the game, but the score for the Gators just went consistently up behind solid hitting and base running.

On the other hand, the pitching for Florida was probably the best I’ve ever seen.

Hannah Rogers started the game with seven straight strikeouts. Seven. 

The next batter, April Ryan, was hit by a pitch, ending the streak. However, Rogers ended the game with nine strikeouts on a complete game. The most telling stat was how she only allowed one hit, and that hit came on the second to last batter on the day, pinch-hitter Abby Donnell. Ryan was the only other player even to get on base, but was thrown out on a double play after a Sportscenter Top 10 worthy catch in center field.

“We got blown out yesterday,” Coach Jo Evans said of her team. “But I thought our approach at the plate was a lot better than it was today. I thought we got flustered and frustrated. We have to do better than that.” 

Basically, Rogers only faced one extra batter all day long, and it was the very last batter. Dominant.

Up next for the Aggies, Texas A&M Corpus Christi will come to town on Tuesday for a doubleheader. The first game starts at 4 P.M. at the Aggie Softball Complex.