Texas A&M run-rules Incarnate Word, 10-2, to push win streak to five
Texas A&M totaled a season-high nine stolen bases in its 10-2 win over Incarnate Word.
In the second inning, the Cardinals struck first. An error by Koko Wooley allowed Aaliyah Garcia to score an unearned run.
However, the Cardinals didn’t hold onto the lead for long.
In the bottom of the second, Mariana Torres singled home a run and advanced to third base on a throwing error. Wooley brought Torres home with a single of her own, upping the score 2-1.
“[Torres] is a versatile player,” Texas A&M coach Jo Evans said. “She’s been trying to break into the lineup. We had some injuries and some illnesses, and it has given her opportunities. These last couple of games, she’s been able to get herself a couple of hits, an RBI today and lays down a bunt. It’s nice to see her relax a little more and be comfortable playing the game.”
In the top of the fourth, Incarnate Word’s Maddison Guillen drove in another run with a double for the Cardinals’ second and final run of the day.
In the bottom of the inning, Torres reached on a throwing error by Incarnate Word’s catcher Avalon Sanchez, allowing Cayden Baker to score.
Later in the third, Wooley reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second, third and scored on another Sanchez error. Wooley’s aggressive four-steal performance is the most by an Aggie since 2006. Baker added to the season-high total with two, while Makinzy Herzog, Haley Lee and Star Ferguson each added one steal.
“We did a great job turning stolen bases into runs,” Evans said. “It felt like every stolen base turned into a run, so I was really pleased to see that.”
The Aggies continued to be quick on the basepaths.
Trinity Cannon singled to right-center field, sending Lee home, but Lee wasn’t done making noise.
In the bottom of the sixth, Lee started off a five-run inning with a two-run homer, her eighth on the season. Ferguson’s RBI single followed, and Herzog placed the cherry on top with a two-run double, raising the score to 10-2 and ending the six-inning, run-rule affair.
“Getting out here, getting the reps, getting the swings, it’s important for us because we need to build off of that,” Lee said. “[We] need to work our way up into creating momentum for the next series, and I think we’ve done that with ACU last weekend and coming off a great win tonight.
“I think we’re ready to keep that momentum going into LSU this weekend.”
After taking a break from SEC play, the Aggies will resume conference action in a weekend series against No. 21 LSU (22-15, 3-6 SEC) at Davis Diamond.
“I think it’s going to be a dogfight,” Evans said. “We have to keep our foot on the gas and take advantage of the opportunities we’re given. We’ve been pretty good at taking those openings that we’re given, but we’ll need to stay in it until the very end.
“I think it’s going to be back-and-forth and very high energy. Both teams are going to come out fired up and ready to go.”
First pitch between the Aggies and Tigers on Friday, April 3, is slated for 6 p.m CT.