Texas A&M dominates with two run-rule wins against TSU in midweek doubleheader

Domination.

If there was one word to describe Tuesday’s Aggie softball doubleheader, that would be it. Texas A&M recorded two shutouts on the day, defeating Texas Southern 8-0 in game one and 9-0 in game two, both in five innings. The Aggies improved to 13-3 on the year, winning 11 of their last 12 games. 

Game One: Texas A&M 8, Texas Southern, 0 (5 inn) 

Per usual, Makinzy Herzog took care of business in game one. The starting pitcher tied her record for 10 Ks on the day while only giving up one hit. But as dominant as Herzog was, a few others on the field could make the case for most impressive player in the first contest.

The Ags got rolling very quickly, as a Herzog single and stolen base followed up by a base knock from Haley Lee had runners on the corners in the bottom of the first with one out. The first run scored thanks to a stolen base from Lee that forced the pitcher to make a decision, which she couldn’t pull off in time. 

Angelina Alcantar, TexAgs

Shaylee Ackerman was a huge contributor in the sweep, recording three hits and four RBI’s on the day. 

Then Shaylee Ackerman stepped to the plate, hitting an absolute bomb over the center-field wall to put the Maroon and White up 3-0. Ackerman would go 2-for-2 at the plate with four RBI, including a deep ball off the left-field wall to walk it off in the fifth.

The home team managed to add two more runs in the fifth and one in the sixth, plating multiple insurance runs throughout the game that were ultimately not needed. Meanwhile, Herzog was dealing in the circle, ringing up five straight strikeouts in the third and fourth innings and taking away any glimmer of hope the Tigers may have had.

“She was so sharp today from the get-go,” said head coach Jo Evans on Herzog’s performance. “She just keeps getting better. I think she’s really starting to lock in out there, it’s fun to watch her.” 

All in all, this may have been the most convincing win the Aggies have had all year. The team finished with a season-high 10 hits from seven different players, with five players registering at least two hits. This was the Aggies’ fourth run-rule win of the season, and as it turned out, their first of two on the day.

Game Two: Texas A&M 9, Texas Southern 0 (5 inn)

Game two started off just as hot as (and eerily similar to) the first. After managing to get runners on the corners, freshman Trinity Cannon bounced one off the top of the scoreboard, giving the Aggies a 3-0 lead in the first once again. 

Trinity Cannon has had an incredible start to her inaugural season, but this game was her best so far. Cannon went 2-for-2 at the plate with five RBI, also notching her third homer of the young season. 

“As I get more at-bats, I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable at the plate,” said Cannon. “I just feed off my team’s vibes and energy… having them there has been a big thing for me.” 

In the fifth, Kelly Martinez kept the trend going with a single to left that brought home two more runs in a bases-loaded situation. 

Starting pitcher Grace Uribe also played a heck of a game, piling up six strikeouts while allowing only one hit. She also had an RBI in the third to give the Aggies a six-run lead.

In the bottom of the fourth with two Aggies in scoring position, Trinity Cannon came up clutch once again, knocking one past the shortstop to put A&M up by nine, securing the third straight run-rule win. 

This game also saw seven different Aggies get a hit, to which Jo Evans credits the ongoing maturity of her team.

“We have the talent on our team, and I think the maturity piece is critical,” said Evans. “You can see these kids feeling better, understanding the game, getting more confident and what that means to our team. It’s something we needed to be better at and I think we’re doing that.” 

The Aggies return to Davis Diamond this weekend to face off against Montana on Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.