No. 8 Texas A&M falls short in 2-1 pitcher's duel at No. 9 Florida
Game #49: No. 9 Florida 2, No. 8 Texas A&M 1
Records: Texas A&M (39-10, 15-7), Florida (41-12, 15-7 SEC)
WP: Keagan Rothrock (22-5)
LP: Emiley Kennedy (20-8)
Box Score
It was a Friday night fight in Gainesville as the eighth-ranked Aggies dropped their series-opening game against the No. 9 Florida Gators, 2-1.
Texas A&M’s offense started out shaky as the Gators sat down the top of the Aggies’ lineup in the first.
An uncharacteristic start came from Emiley Kennedy in the bottom half as she walked two Gators yet escaped without any damage in the run column.
The second frame is when the Aggies started to get it moving after Florida pitcher Keagan Rothrock walked Trinity Cannon.
Allie Enright came through with an infield single, allowing Cannon to score the first and only run for the Maroon & White.
Kennedy, also known as “lefty,” made quick work of the bottom of the inning to keep the Gators from chomping.
The pitcher’s duel continued until the Gators struck in the fifth, taking advantage of a throwing error made by Koko Wooley.
A subsequent double from Florida’s Skylar Wallace tied the game at 1.
The Gators continued their rally, hitting a sac fly to right field to plate the winning run in Wallace.
In hopes of making a comeback, the Aggies could not pull through in the sixth. Down one run, they had one more chance to secure a comeback win in the seventh.
Kennedy pitched all six innings, giving up four hits, seven walks and one hit by pitch. Lefty recorded just three strikeouts on 133 pitches.
With one out, Enright pulled through again with a double to center. Unfortunately, that’s where the bats went quiet, as Rylen Wiggins struck out and Kennedy Powell fouled out to end the game.
The Aggies will return to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Saturday, May 4, looking to even the series. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. CT on SEC Network.