No. 19 A&M completes non-conference slate with 12-0 run-rule of North Texas

Game #22: No. 19 Texas A&M 12, North Texas 0
Records: Texas A&M (20-2), North Texas (9-11)
WP: Brooke Vestal (1-0)
LP: McKenzie Wagoner (5-3)
Box Score

No. 19 Texas A&M posted a shutout victory against North Texas in five innings on Wednesday night, 12-0. 

The Aggies’ 12th run-rule of the season reached a 20-2 record before going into SEC play. 

Brooke Vestal started in the circle for the Maroon & White and ended the top of the first with a strikeout leaving UNT’s Saleen Donohoe swinging at the plate.

The Aggies wasted no time putting runs on the board and shutting down the Mean Green early on. 

In the bottom of the first, Jazmine Hill smashed a two-run homerun out of the park to center field. 

“The other thing she brings to the table is that she's been there and done that,” head coach Trisha Ford said. “She plays at a high level. She has good energy and with her leadership, all of those intangibles that kid brings to our program.” 

To follow, Trinity Cannon stepped into the box and smashed a solo home run to the scoreboard bringing the score to 3-0. 

“It’s a fun feeling coming out during mid-week and having as much energy as we did in the dugout,” Cannon said. 

The momentum didn’t stop there. 

By the end of the first frame, the Aggies added five more runs and notched six hits. 

The Aggies set the tone early in the game and did not let up. 

“I think we got back to playing Aggie softball,” Ford said. “We had a lot of ups and downs in the last two weeks and lost our focus a little bit. I felt that we had good intent tonight, and I thought we hunted the right pitches over the plate.

“We played clean defense. I think we executed every part of the game and it was refreshing.”

Proving the Aggies' aggressive performance in the box, Kramer Eschete broke her bat swinging as she grounded out to third base in the bottom of the third. 

Pinch-hitter Aiyana Coleman entered the game for Allie Enright not missing a beat. She cranked one out of the park, bringing in Rylen Wiggins to bring the score to 12-0. 

Despite a couple of balls thrown by Vestal, her teammates had her back. Cannon, at first base, stayed vocal, encouraging her pitcher. 

“I love that, whether things are good or bad,” Vestal said. “I am someone who really likes to hear from my defense. So having an infield that does that just makes you so much more comfortable, then having an offense doing so well, it makes you take a deep breath and know that my offense has my back and I can go out there and throw my game.” 

Despite the astounding offensive performance, the Maroon & White did not falter defensively. 

Kennedy Powell showcased her speed and athleticism by grabbing a hard-hit drive to the third-base line for an out in the top of the fifth. 

To end the game, Powell made the same play, proving the Aggies’ defense stood the test tonight as well for a well-rounded performance entering SEC play. 

The Aggies will take on No. 22 South Carolina at Davis Diamond this weekend starting on Friday at 6 p.m. CT.