Game #4: No. 1 Texas Tech 3, No. 11 Texas A&M 2
Records: Texas A&M (3-1, 0-0), Texas Tech (4-0, 0-0)
WP: NiJaree Canady (2-0)
LP: Kate Munnerlyn (0-1)
Box Score
Despite a toe-to-toe battle, No. 11 Texas A&M dropped its first game of the season, falling 3-2 to No. 1 Texas Tech in front of record attendance at Davis Diamond on Saturday.
The Aggies kept pace with the Red Raiders until the fifth inning, when an untimely error allowed the game-winning run to reach base.
“For me, it was the little things,” head coach Trisha Ford said. “I just told them that, imagine if we continue to work and get better, what this looks like at the end of the year. I was very pleased with our effort, and obviously hate losing.”
An RBI double by Tech’s Mia Williams scored Mihyi Davis to break a 2-2 tie.
Davis reached on an error by first baseman Micaela Wark and moved into scoring position on a passed ball against Maddie Sauni.
However, the Aggie defense was fairly stout throughout.
Second baseman Tallen Edwards showed off her Gold Glove skills in the second inning, shutting down a line drive to keep Texas Tech from executing offensively.
Centerfielder Frankie Vrazel also made a statement, denying a home run in the third inning to keep the score tied, 2-2.
A majority of scoring came right at the get-go, as back-to-back home runs by Texas Tech made the score 2-0 after only two hitters in the game.
Yet the Maroon & White responded right back as Wark hit a two-run homer off of Raider ace NiJaree Canady in the bottom of the first.
“In the bottom of the first inning, we went to work,” Ford said. “We’ve done this a lot. I feel like it’s one of the things we’re known for. We get punched, and we’re gonna punch back.”
The score remained tied 2-2 until the fifth inning.
Both the Aggies and Red Raiders went back and forth throughout the game, which showed positive signs for A&M against such a fierce foe so early in the season.
“There was a reason why I wanted to play them,” Ford said. “I have a feeling that you could see them later on in the year.
“It was a good game. I hate that we lost.”
Sydney Lessentine was shaky to start the game after allowing two home runs, but she calmed her nerves and recorded two strikeouts in the next two innings.
“Everybody has been talking about Tech and their all-star lineup,” Ford said. “The whole reason [Lessentine] started is because I wanted her to work through some of that. They’re going to have to understand what that looks like and to execute those pitches at a high rate.”
Kate Munnerlyn stepped in for Lessentine in the fourth inning, posting two strikeouts in just over one inning.
Sidne Peters entered in the fourth inning, closing out with three strikeouts, including one against Canady in the seventh.
“I always say confidence comes from preparation,” Ford said. “When you feel prepared out there, nothing’s really going to rattle you.”
A&M will close out opening weekend on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 9:30 a.m. against Providence at Davis Diamond to end the Aggie Classic.
