Texas A&M softball closes out Reveille Classic with 6-3 win over Kansas
After suffering an embarrassing loss on Friday, the Aggie softball team was able to quickly put that behind them and go 3-0 in the remainder of the games at the Reveille Classic. The Ags played a very complete game today, taking care of business against the Kansas Jayhawks 6-3.
An RBI single in the first from Payton McBride got things started for the Aggies, and a long triple off the center-field wall from Kelbi Fortenberry in the fourth inning pushed the lead to two. This was followed up by an RBI single from Ashlynn Walls, giving the Aggies a solid 3-0 lead at the end of the fourth inning.
The momentum carried on into the fifth, as a quick bomb off the scoreboard from Morgan Smith extended the Aggie lead. McBride then doubled, giving Jourdyn Cambell the go-ahead for another RBI single, which brought the Aggie lead to a comfortable five runs.
McBride hasn’t had her most impressive weekend, but was able to get things done today when it mattered most.
“I just kinda let loose, I let my swing work itself out,” said McBride, who claimed two hits and a crucial RBI on the day. “I’ve gone to the cages every night, and it's kinda just found its way.”
The Jayhawks didn’t go quietly however, as a homer from shortstop Sydnee Ramsey got two runs back for Kansas in the sixth. A couple of walks and an RBI groundout from Makinzy Herzog in the home half of the inning gave the Aggies an insurance run, and the Jayhawks had one last chance in the top of the seventh to keep the game going.
Becki Monaghan led off the final inning with another homer, cutting the Aggie lead to three. Kayla Poynter would be subbed out for Hannah Mayo, who would go on to shut down the Kansas threat, stranding two Jayhawks on base to close out the weekend. Poynter pitched well once again, throwing three strikeouts on the day to secure the win and improve her record to 5-2 on the season.
“(Run support) helps a lot,” said Poynter on how much good quality offensive play helps her pitching. “Having even one run on the board and being ahead helps me relax and allow my defense to work, and just not be so tight.”
Jo Evans sees the potential her team has, as well as what they have to do to utilize that potential going into conference play.
“For us to come out and get ourselves back together (after Friday’s loss), I think shows some signs of who this team can be,” said Evans. “So I feel encouraged about our ball club, I know we’re gonna face some tough opponents in the SEC, but when you can go from Friday to what we did on Saturday and Sunday, that tells me there’s something there.”
Evans and her team will travel to Kentucky next weekend to start SEC play. The first pitch against the Wildcats will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 7th.