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Photo by Zoe Kelton, TexAgs
Texas A&M Softball

Aggie softball defeats Texas in exhibition action at Davis Diamond, 12-6

October 18, 2024
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A fall ball victory that just means... A little more.

For the first time as Southeastern Conference foes, Texas A&M handled Texas on a brisk Friday evening at Davis Diamond, 12-6.

Trisha Ford's four offseason transfers shined in Friday's win over the Longhorns.

San Diego State transfer slugger Mac Barbara and Washington transfer Ojo Johnson offered more pop to an already talented lineup. In the circle, A&M looked to trusty lefty Emiley Kennedy to get the night started, but outings from transfers Grace Sparks and Sidne Peters provided depth that A&M has not had in the past.

In the first, Texas knocked through back-to-back base hits with dangerous Reese Atwood at the plate. Last year's Big 12 Player of the Year made the Aggies pay early, mashing a three-run homer in the first.

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs
Mac Barbara’s three-run homer in the first evened the score at 3-3.

Yet, a key transfer addition for the Aggies returned the favor. Barbara received a warm welcome to Aggieland with a three-run blast to tie things up in an eventful opening frame.

After Texas plated another in the second inning, the Aggies struck back again. Kylei Griffin's RBI knock evened the score at four a piece in the bottom of the third.

The rivals continued to trade punches.

As the Longhorns pushed another run across, Kennedy Powell responded by lacing a two-run single through the left side to take a 5-4 lead.

The score returned to deadlocked with Katie Stewart's solo blast, but not for long.

The Aggie offense found their groove in the fifth. Johnson's two-run double, followed by Griffin's second base hit of the night, tacked on a trio of runs.

The 9-6 advantage grew soon after as Amari Harper's RBI single and a pair of errors from the Longhorns capped the scoring as A&M downed the Horns.

Back in May, the Aggies traveled to Austin with eyes on a trip to the Women's College World Series. Yet, Ford's Ags fell heartbreakingly short of taking down the then-No. 1 overall seed.

Throughout the offseason, Ford's mission was to come back stronger.

Returning 13, including star pitcher Kennedy, the third-year head coach needed to replace the production of Julia Cottrill, Trinity Cannon and Rylen Wiggins, seniors who played a huge part in A&M's postseason run during 2024.

That production was supplemented on Friday night. The softball program secured its only opportunity to beat Texas this year, as it is not scheduled to play this season.

So, Friday night's win against the team that disrupted last year's run to Oklahoma City?

It means just a little more.

Discussion from...

Aggie softball defeats Texas in exhibition action at Davis Diamond, 12-6

7,379 Views | 5 Replies | Last: 1 mo ago by greg.w.h
B$Weigem
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AG
Great win. Coach Ford is building a program.
insanediego
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AG
Always love to see Lady Ags poking 4 bag taters over the fence!
frankie00
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A huge THANKS to TexAgs and Kay Naegeli for the write-up on the game !!

And, of course, a HUGE congratulations to the Ags for a great game! AND, fourteen new Ags had a chance to experience their first game vs the sips whilst wearing Aggie maroon - whooop!

I wish the athletic department did not have such a blackout on the Fall games. I understand no telly or even radio but simple live updates is not too much to ask. Heck, the games that have been played are dropped from the schedule page. At least leave them up with a score and a recap if not the box score!


PabloSerna
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AG
Hell ya!
“Falsehood flies and the truth comes limping after it” -Jonathan Swift, 1710
greg.w.h
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AG
Great write up Kay! Made me feel like I was watching through your eyes!
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