No. 24 Aggies weather Golden Hurricane en route to twinbill sweep

Game #3: No. 24 Texas A&M 8, Tulsa 5
Records: Texas A&M (3-0), Tulsa (2-1)
WP: Emily Leavitt (2-0)
LP: Maura Moore (1-1)
Box Score
Game #4: No. 24 Texas A&M 8, Tulsa 0 (6 inn)
Records: Texas A&M (4-0), Tulsa (2-2)
WP: Emiley Kennedy (2-0)
LP: Maura Moore (1-1)
Box Score

Concluding the 2024 Aggie Classic, No. 24 Texas A&M continued its perfect start to the season after taking both games of Sunday’s doubleheader against Tulsa, 8-5 and 6-0, respectively.

“It was huge for us honestly, just because next weekend is gonna be really tough,” A&M head coach Trisha Ford said. “For me, It was important for us to get these games in.”

Although Tulsa took an early three-run lead, the Aggies quickly climbed out of an early hole in the first game.

“You know the other thing that I was happy with is we were down, obviously, in that first game today, no panic, and we came back,” Ford said. 

Pitchers Shaylee Ackerman (3.0 IP) and Emily Leavitt (4.0 IP) held their own in the circle, combining for four strikeouts and keeping the Golden Hurricane offense at bay.

“No complaints here. The way we did it I think is what I am most pleased with,” Ford said. “I thought Leavitt did a really good job. Came in after Shaylee and really used that offspeed and worked both sides of the plate.”

The A&M offense continued to impress as junior Allie Enright smashed a grand slam in the third to ignite the rally, and Jazmine Hill followed with a leadoff home run in the fifth inning.

“She's built like a brick house… She works her tail off in the weight room. She moves weight,” Ford said of Enright. “I think that kid wakes up and dreams about working harder.”

Starting her third season, Enright has already racked up three home runs through Opening Weekend.

“She's been really good in that spot. That’s kind of what we were hoping Allie does this year,” Ford said. “I think she's gonna get some good pitches and hopefully do some damage.”

Kennedy Powell tripled to right field to plate Amari Harper, and Julia Cottrill brought Powell home on an RBI groundout to cap off scoring in the first game.

“Great weekend. I thought, offensively, we were our biggest weapon. I think from top to bottom from our lineup we just did a heck of a job of making the pitcher throw a lot of pitches,” Ford said. “We beat people in the base path, base hits, situational hitting, the long ball, you name it. I thought we did a really good job.”

During game two, the Aggies wrapped things up early as they run-ruled Tulsa in six innings.

Junior left-handed pitcher Emiley Kennedy delivered a complete game, striking out a career-high nine while only allowing one hit and one walk.

“I think that's the best I've ever seen Emiley Kennedy throw, to be honest with you. That kid threw lights out,” Ford said. “Very smooth. I don't know if you all can notice that, but she was in the circle in total command, calmness, was able to elevate and work both ends of the zone, which is something we talked about this morning. Just really really impressed by her outing today.”

The standout performance for Kennedy came after a rougher outing on Friday.

“We broke down a lot of film,” Kennedy said. “I think, this year, mentally, I am in the best place I've been.”

Chris Swann, TexAgs

Allie Enright finished the Aggie Classic 6-for-9 with three home runs and 10 RBIs.

She also explained how her mentality and maturity have changed from her sophomore year to this year.

“If I was in that spot last year, I probably would have reacted differently… This year, I kind of just took a step back,” Kennedy said. “I've grown mentally, which is like the biggest step I could ever take.”

Only playing three out of her four pitchers today, Ford said she will continue to choose pitchers based on how she feels about the outcome of the game.

“Today’s games were huge for us to get these wins,” Ford said “You're gonna see [pitchers] go in and out quite a bit this year.”

Trinity Cannon and Aiyana Coleman fueled the offense in the final game with two RBIs each.

Sitting at 4-0, the Aggies will travel to San Diego next weekend to compete in the Campbell/Cartier Classic starting Friday at 12 p.m. CT.

“I think this is good momentum going into a really competitive weekend,” Cannon said. “I’m excited to see how we look like on the road.”