Texas A&M softball closes out Aggie Classic with 9-1 run-rule win over UTA
Texas A&M softball completed their commanding performance in the Aggie Classic on Sunday afternoon with a 9-1 victory over UT Arlington, improving their record to 5-0 in an exciting conclusion to the weekend-long tournament.
Cayden Baker saw her first career hit with two RBIs, and Haley Lee hit 2-for-2 with two runs and one RBI. The Aggies put up eight hits and no errors in the game’s five innings.
“I thought our team played really well today. Yesterday, I thought was a little sloppy for us, so our goal today was to come out and be a lot sharper. We got that out of our kids,” Texas A&M head coach Jo Evans said. “I saw some good things out of our team, and I saw some things that we can do better, but as a start of the season, I’m pleased to see our progress.”
The Aggies made quick work of the Mavericks. UTA loaded the bases in the first, and a single down to center gave the visitors an early one-run lead. However, the Aggies made a sharp turnaround. Capitalizing on a pair of errors, Koko Wooley and Morgan Smith slammed hits to take the lead, 3-1.
The Aggies pulled ahead in the third inning, posting four runs to take a 7-1 lead. Lee slammed an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, sending Star Ferguson home to clinch the run-rule victory, completing their fourth run-rule victory in the Aggie Classic.
Junior utility Shaylee Ackermann stepped into the circle for the first time in her collegiate career, where she pitched six strikeouts, 48 total strikes and allowed just two hits on top of multiple scoreless innings. She pitched all five innings in the win.
“The first inning was a little rocky, and it’s a little nerve-wracking going out, but once I settled in, it was a lot easier,” Ackerman said. “Once we got going, everything started to settle in, and all my pitches started working, rather than me forcing things through.”
The Aggies will play Sam Houston in Huntsville on Feb 16 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.