Game #39: No. 13 Texas A&M 11, McNeese State 1 (5 innings)
Records: Texas A&M (27-12, 8-4), McNeese State (23-17, 7-8)
WP: Sidne Peters (10-4)
LP: Kadence Williams (2-1)
Box Score
As another day passes, another win is tallied for No. 13 Texas A&M at Davis Diamond, bringing their record to 27-12 overall. The Aggies flexed their offensive muscles Wednesday night, wrangling the McNeese State Cowgirls 11-1 in five innings.
Coming into the game, McNeese was ranked 31st in the RPI rankings, with wins over common opponents such as Ole Miss, Houston, Missouri and Baylor.
Despite the statistical success for McNeese, the Aggies held the Cowgirls to two hits and one run, scoring 11 unanswered runs after the first inning.
“When we execute our pitches, we can hang with anybody in the country,” A&M head coach Trisha Ford said. “When we live in the middle part of the plate, we’re gonna have a hard time. As we’re getting going and we’re growing and getting better, I think they’re understanding that.”
Right-hander Sidne Peters started in the circle, allowing one hit, one run, two walks and striking out five batters in three innings of work.
Peters hung full counts on several batters, but she earned the win and brought her record to 10-4.
Grace Sparks relieved Peters, allowing one hit, two walks and striking out one in two innings of work.
“I think executing pitches earlier on counts,” Peters said. “I got to get ahead more and spread my zones and let my defense work… Whenever my number is called, I always have to be ready.”
In the bottom of the first, Mya Perez did what she does best, blasting a two-run homer over the center field fence for her 14th of the year.
Perez’s shot most likely dented the Artemis II spaceship because it was the definition of a moon shot. The ball traveled 304 feet, her longest shot of the season.
“She’s a nightmare (to face), and I’m very happy she’s on our team,” Ford said. “There’s been conference weekends in which she was getting herself out, and she’s getting better at her first at-bat. They might give (her) one at-bat, but after that, if (she) deposits it, (she) can’t get herself out. That’s going to be important this weekend.”
The Aggies put the bubble machines to work in the third, scoring six runs on four hits and pushing the score to 8-1.
Kelsey Mathis had the highlight of the inning, punching a fly ball into center field for a two-run triple. She went 2-for-3 on the night, later recording an RBI double in the fifth to bring in the 11th run for the Aggies.
“For me right now, it’s about slowing the game down,” Mathis said. “With my mentality, I can get caught up in the big moments, and especially with runners on, and I need to do my job.”
Freshman Maddie Sauni has played a versatile role on defense for the Aggies, stepping into new positions when called upon. On Wednesday, Sauni stunned the crowd when she tracked and caught a fly ball on the warning track in left field.
“That kid’s just athletic,” Ford said. “She didn’t even get afraid of that wall. She enjoys this game. She plays it with the joy of a 12-year-old kid. I think you can feel it, and the team feels it. She’s just happy to be out on the field.”
The Aggies will take their joyous momentum into the weekend, as they travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to face Ole Miss. The series begins on Friday, April 10, at 6 p.m. CT.
