Aggies run-rule No. 23 South Carolina in 10-2 Saturday victory

Dominance in the outfield and a grand slam assisted Texas A&M softball in its second game against South Carolina.

In run-rule fashion, A&M won a second straight game against the Gamecocks earning the weekend series win. Senior catcher and utility player Kelly Martinez said for her, the ballgame did not defy the norm.

“Just another day at the ballpark,” Martinez said. “For myself, I expect it because I’m a softball player. I just know that’s my job for the day.”

The Aggies started out with a bang in the bottom of the first thanks to Martinez. The University of Utah transfer notched a grand slam to make the score 6-0.

Thanks to a dominant outfield performance, South Carolina was only able to answer with two runs on the day, both of which were scored during the top of the second.

Boise State transfer and left-handed graduate student pitcher Kelsey Broadus started in the circle for the Aggies but was relieved by senior right-handed pitcher Kayla Poynter following consecutive hits in the bottom of the second.

Angelina Alcantar, TexAgs

Kelly Martinez blasted a first-inning grand slam to put the Aggies up by six and account for what would prove to be the winning runs.

Poynter finished the ballgame with two strikeouts and allowed just two hits.

A&M head coach Jo Evans said Poynter had an exceptional day at Davis Diamond.

“Broadus didn’t have her best stuff,” Evans said. “Boy, Kayla Poynter was phenomenal in relief. She came in when bases were loaded and we needed some outs. She just took care of business, went out and attacked the strike zone.”

The Aggies were also able to earn runs in the third inning, with freshman infielder Rylen Wiggins and Martinez touching home plate.

Because South Carolina was unable to get more runs on the board, the Maroon and White were able to cap off the win via the run rule in the bottom of the fifth.

With Wiggins already on base, junior pitcher and outfielder Makinzy Herzog notched her second home run of the season. This concluded the contest at 10-2 for the Aggies.

“It always feels good when you’re the team with the foot on the gas and your opponent is on their heels. Obviously, we know that tomorrow is a whole new day, but I like the way we managed this today,” Evans said.

A&M will play in game three of the series against South Carolina on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CST looking for a series sweep.