Strong first inning helps No. 24 Texas A&M even series with Ole Miss

After dropping Friday’s opener, No. 24 Texas A&M leveled the series with Ole Miss as they defeated the Rebels on Saturday afternoon, 6-3. 

“It was important for us today to come out with good energy,” A&M head coach Trisha Ford said. 

With the bases loaded in the first inning, Julia Cottrill singled to right field and brought Koko Wooley home. Morgan Smith then smacked a three-run double to right center. 

The ladies in Maroon & White scored all four runs in the first with no outs.

“We put runners on almost every inning,” Ford said. 

Leading off in the third inning, Mya Stevenson homered over left field to put the Rebels on the board. Then, Paige Smith added an RBI single to cut further into A&M’s lead.

Emily Leavitt subsequently replaced starting pitcher Madison Preston for the Aggies, who lasted 2.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits. 

When the Aggies returned to the batter’s box in the fourth, Cottrill extended the lead with a two-run double to second base. 

Following a homer to left field by the Rebels in the seventh, Emiley Kennedy replaced Leavitt in the circle for the remainder of the game. Kennedy picked up her second save of the season after retiring the final three batters in order and securing the win. 

“I thought Emiley Kennedy came in and did exactly what she’s supposed to do,” Ford said. “Came in there, pounded the zone, used her [velocity] and was able to throw offspeed.”

The Aggies will look to clinch the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.