Aggie softball handily beats ACU, loses a nail-biter to UTA in extra innings

Game One: Texas A&M 7-1

Aggie softball was hot to start off the second day of the season and the third game in the Aggie Classic. Right off the bat, Makinzy Herzog and Kelbi Fortenberry opened the game with back to back doubles. Very soon after, Meagan Smith and Payton McBride hit back to back homers to bring the Aggie lead to 4-0.

Angelina Alcantar, TexAgs

Starting pitcher Kayla Poynter plays one of the most successful games of her career. 

The Wildcats would never recover, as RHP Kayla Poynter remained reliable throughout the rest of the game. McBride’s second home run of the day was a two run shot over the left wall, pushing the lead to six. A sac fly in the sixth would be the Ags’ final run of the day, all the while the Wildcats’ offense remained completely stagnant. 

Poynter was pitching lockdown, and going into the final inning it looked like a no-hitter would come easily. But with two outs gone, Poynter gave up an RBI triple, allowing the first hit and run of the day. 

“Going in to that last inning, it was every pitch matters,” said Poynter. “At this point, we weren’t going for a no hitter but we were going to finish this game.” Poynter’s superb play on the mound deemed a career best 16 strikeouts. 

In a game where the Aggies absolutely dominated, I don’t think Poynter or the team were too upset about giving up a meaningless run on the final out. 

Game Two: UT Arlington 5-4 (8)

This game proved much more disappointing than the last. With a lot of confidence from the previous game, the Aggies jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. Jourdyn Campbell brought in two of those runs with an RBI double, and it would not be her last double of the contest. It looked like the team’s confidence would propel them to another easy win. 

However, that first inning was the only time the Ags would score. Going into the sixth, A&M had what felt like a safe 4-1 lead. But after an RBI double by the Mavericks to cut the lead to two, starting pitcher Makinzy Herzog would be replaced by then first baseman Payton McBride. But when it rains it pours, as UTA would put up three runs in the sixth and tie it going into the seventh inning. 

Neither team could muster up a run in the seventh, but the Mavericks would score in top of the eighth to take the one run lead. A double play secured the comeback win for UTA, leaving two woeful Aggies on base to close it out. 

“I was very frustrated that we didnt take advantage of so many opportunities,” said head coach Jo Evans. “Coming into this game, I was really pleased with how we started off the game. We go out there and we make a statement right off the bat. And we let that get away from us. We have a lot to learn, we’re young, but in a game like that, we put ourselves in a position to win the game. That’s where you start, and then you gotta finish.” 

After a disappointing end to a game that was very much in reach, Evans and the Aggie team will have to put that behind them and refocus for the future. 

Up Next

The Aggie Classic at Davis Diamond will finish up tomorrow as the Aggies face Abilene Christian for game two of the series at 11:15am.