Aggies primed for postseason action in Bryan-College Station Regional
Hosting postseason softball.
Something only 16 programs will be doing this weekend, and Texas A&M can confidently say they are one of them.
No. 16 overall national seed Texas A&M can also confidently say they deserve it.
Behind the best regular season record since 2017 at 40-12, Trisha Ford’s Aggies are dancing, but perhaps to an unexpected tune.
The NCAA selection committee seeded the Aggies lower than expected, and although A&M is still a postseason host, the competition at No. 16 is tougher than some of its head-scratchingly higher-seeded SEC counterparts.
However, the Aggies are looking beyond the snub.
“We are really excited to host in front of the 12th Man,” head coach Trisha Ford said on Thursday. “We are primed and ready. I feel really good about where our heads our at.”
Along with A&M, the Bryan-College Station Regional field includes Sun Belt Tournament champion Texas State, Penn State and America East Tournament champion Albany.
The Bobcats and Nittany Lions will kick off the weekend at 3 p.m. on Friday, followed by a battle between the Aggies and Great Danes at 5:30 p.m.
All three visiting teams venture to Aggieland with elite pitching.
Texas State brings in Jessica Mullins, who sports a 1.31 ERA behind a 30-7 record.
Big Ten Freshman of the Year Bridget Nemeth shined for Penn State as her 2024 season stands as the winningest campaign among all pitchers in the conference.
Albany’s Wendi Hammond holds a 1.91 ERA to lead the America East Conference.
The Aggies could have their hands full at the plate this weekend, but again, the Maroon & White are confident in their ability and should be.
A&M’s brutal conference schedule has prepared them for the postseason.
“Every game in the SEC is a World Series game,” pitcher Emiley Kennedy said. “Everyone can beat anyone in the conference. As you can see, all 13 SEC teams are in the postseason.”
The Aggies have their very own star in the circle, as Kennedy is one of the most successful and experienced hurlers College Station has ever seen.
Kennedy’s 100.1 innings pitched and 86 strikeouts in SEC play are the most ever by an Aggie in a single season, and she remains top-ten in the country in complete games and shutouts.
A&M will rely on that star power in the circle, and Kennedy is ready to deliver.
”I have pulled (Kennedy) aside this week and said, ‘Lefty, you are our dog. We are going until you can’t go no more,’” Ford said. “She wants the ball. When you talk about the evolution of Emiley Kennedy, that’s it right there. She’s always wanted the ball but didn't know how to execute the game plan.
“At any point in time, she has to be ready, and she’s excited about it.”
At the plate, A&M’s .509 slugging percentage ranks No. 22 in the country behind sluggers Trinity Cannon, Allie Enright and Julia Cottrill in the meat of the lineup.
Koko Wooley and Amari Harper strengthen A&M’s squad, and both boast batting averages north of .345.
“For eight weeks, we have faced some of the top pitchers across the country. We have faced numerous All-Americans at this point in time,” Ford said. “We have faced a lot of good pitchers, and we will take it one pitch at a time.”
Despite an excellent past two months for Aggie softball, A&M’s road to the Women’s College World Series became more difficult when they were the last host announced on Selection Sunday.
The field comes in ready to compete. Texas State beat the Aggies earlier this year, 4-3, and Penn State dropped a series to the Bobcats this season.
“All 64 teams in this tournament have won something or have been successful,” Cottrill told Texas Aggies United. “As long as we do what we are supposed to do, it shouldn't matter who is in the other dugout.”
Ford echoed her catcher’s statement as the Aggies are approaching this weekend as they have all year.
“We’re going to come out, worry about us and how we will play our game,” Ford said. “I feel pretty good if we do that.”