No. 6 Florida rallies in late innings as Aggies fall in a heartbreaker, 3-2
Despite solid defensive play throughout the game, Texas A&M softball fell to No. 6 Florida, 3-2, on Friday night at Davis Diamond as the Gators scored three runs in the final two innings.
The Aggies racked up four double plays throughout the contest, keeping the Gator offense in check. Freshman pitcher Emiley Kennedy started in the circle, allowing just two hits while racking up four strikeouts.
“Our defensive play was solid, despite the couple of errors we had. To turn four double plays in the game is pretty phenomenal in softball,” said Texas A&M head coach Jo Evans postgame. “I told our kids to make sure they keep perspective. I get it. Right now, we all feel bad about this loss, but in the morning, you better wake up and be ready to go to war.”
Rylen Wiggins capitalized on a fielding error to put the Aggies up by one in the second inning. Another double play in the top of the third stifled the Gator offense, preventing the visitors from pulling ahead early in the contest.
Haley Lee smashed an RBI double to plate Koko Wooley in the bottom of the third inning. Another Aggie double play shut Florida down at the start of the fourth inning, erasing the first hit allowed by Kennedy.
In the sixth, the Gators hit a double to crack the scoreboard, prompting Grace Uribe to pitch for Kennedy. Another double play halted Florida in the inning, but the Maroon & White offense failed to match the momentum, going down in order in the bottom half.
A two-run single by Florida pushed them ahead in the seventh. The defense quickly wrapped up the inning, stranding two runners on base, but the damage had been done. A&M could not scratch a
“Our kids went out and competed. They expected to win,” Evans said. “We’re going to get there. It feels like we’re in a slump, but when you finally get that flare, then we can go. We need to get that win against a quality opponent and then run with it.”
The Aggies will continue the series against Florida at 2 p.m. on Saturday.