Game #30: No. 15 Texas A&M 7, Kentucky 1
Records: Texas A&M (21-9, 4-1), Kentucky (20-11, 1-7)
WP: Sydney Lessentine (9-2)
LP: Hailey Nutter (7-4)
Box Score
The sun set over Davis Diamond as No. 15 Texas A&M delivered a statement win with a 7-1 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday evening.
The Aggies took the second game of the series with four runs in the bottom of the first inning and Tallen Edwards’ three-run home run in the sixth.
The Maroon & White’s bats got hot fast after a heater up the center from catcher Ariel Kowalewski, followed by a double by shortstop KK Dement that scored two.
“I felt like the first inning we came out, we punched, and then after that, we didn't take advantage of some opportunities,” said head coach Trisha Ford. “I think, as we move forward, we’re going to have to, in every inning, have better at-bats and make sure we’re hitting in those situations and moving runners.”
After a quiet few innings, the Wildcats scored their first and only run of the game with a home run.
Little did they know, Edwards was ready to launch her third home run of the season.
“It was nice to see Tallen come back,” Ford said. “I could tell today in the game after her first at-bat, I know she got out, but I had a conversation with her later in the game and said. ‘Hey, you look way better, much more comfortable in the box. I like your demeanor.’
“That left-center gap, that's Tallen Edwards, and you know she’s going well when she’s hitting balls hard in that left-center gap.”
The Oklahoma State transfer has been striving for her comfort in the box this season, and according to Edwards’ at-bats, she’s feeling right at home. She pushed her average to .375 by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored on Saturday.
“I’m trying to be better on both sides of the ball regardless,” Edwards said. “But today did feel different. I’ve been having more conversations with my coaches, and you know, the main theme of today was just riding the wave and figuring it out.”
In this game, it started in the circle.
On Saturday, that circle belonged to Sydney Lessentine, who pounded the zone to make both sides of the plate her own.
Lessentine pitched all seven innings without issuing a walk. Though she gave up a sixth-inning home run, nothing shook her focus in the win.
“I mean, it's the game,” Lessentine said. “It's one pitch, and it can happen. I guess it’s how the game goes.”
The sun had yet to set on Davis Diamond before A&M put Kentucky to bed with their second win.
On Sunday, the Aggies aim to sweep the Wildcats at 1 p.m. CT.
