Show strikes out nine, drives in two as A&M defeats Ole Miss, 7-0

Game #26: Texas A&M 7, Ole Miss 0
Records: Texas A&M 23-3 (2-0), Ole Miss 13-6 (0-2)
WP: Samantha Show (7-2)
LP: Anna Borgen (2-2)
Box Score

A day after A&M senior first baseman Tori Vidales wrote the headlines by setting the A&M record for career RBI with 199 against Ole Miss, junior Samantha Show stole the spotlight and delivered a stellar performance in the circle in the No. 7 Aggies' 7-0 victory over the 19th-ranked Rebels to start SEC play with back-to-back wins.

The Aggies got on the board first Saturday afternoon in the bottom of the second when Sarah Hudek doubled off the wall in right-center to put a runner in scoring position for the pitcher, Show. The Aggie starter gave herself all the run-support she would need when she flared a bloop single over the Rebels' shortstop, allowing Hudek to score.

"We feel like Sam pitches really when she's hitting and hits well when she's pitching so she deserves the chance to get out there. She really helped her cause," said head coach Jo Evans after the game on Show's performance at the plate. 

It wasn't all perfect on the day for Show, however. She labored through the first couple of innings, falling behind hitters and getting deep in counts, but was still able to keep the Rebel batters at bay. It seemed like a switch flipped for the Aggie pitcher in the third when a stoppage of play due to a complaint by the Ole Miss head coach gave Show a chance to regroup.

"I had to calm down," said Show after the game. "I was amped up (early), trying to do too much with my shoulder. I focused more on spinning the ball and attcking the batters which helped a lot." 

Calm down she did. Show allowed only three bases runners to reach over the final four innings, sitting down Ole Miss in order each of the last two to secure her seventh victory of the young season. She finished the day with nine strikeouts, scattering three hits and walking one in the complete game effort.

A&M got further run support in the bottom of the fourth when junior third baseman Riley Sartain went big fly over the wall in left on a no doubt about it solo home run. Show would drive in her second run of the day later in the frame, once again scoring Hudek with an RBI single. The Aggies tacked on four more in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.

After securing their first Southeastern Conference series victory on saturday, the Aggies return to action on Sunday as they return to the Aggie Softball Complex looking for a sweep of 19th-ranked Ole Miss. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on SEC Newtork.