Aggies advance to Norman Regional final with Saturday split

Game 1: #1 Oklahoma 3, Texas A&M 2

Despite late momentum, Texas A&M fell to #1 Oklahoma, 3-2, to open up Saturday’s action. 

The Aggies could not match the Sooners’ early energy as the home nine scratched two runs in the first inning. The Ags had a second wind in the final two innings but could not hold on to their momentum long enough to complete the comeback.

“I’m really proud of this team,” Texas A&M head coach Jo Evans said. “It always felt like we were right there within reach. I thought we did a nice job at the plate to compete.”

After Oklahoma gained an early advantage with a homer and an RBI double in the first, starting pitcher Grace Uribe limited the damage as she stranded a Sooner on base.

Yet, the Aggies were unable to respond offensively. 

Oklahoma added to their lead with another RBI double down the left-field line to extend its lead to 3-0. 

At the top of the six, Haley Lee shot a two-run bomb to left, sending Cayden Baker home and putting Texas A&M on the board.

However, the Aggies could not maintain their energy in the seventh inning and eventually lost. 

Game 2: Texas A&M 10, Minnesota 7

The Aggies started off hot in an elimination game against Minnesota, facing the Golden Gophers for the second time in the tournament.

Lee slammed a double at the top of the first inning, building on her momentum from earlier in the day, and Katie Dack followed up with an RBI single to put the Aggies on the board.

Minnesota matched with high energy at the bottom of the inning, putting up four runs to snatch the lead as they capitalized on an A&M error and a walk. A sacrifice fly in the third inning cushioned Minnesota’s advantage as the Aggies struggled to keep up.

Makinzy Herzog dropped a bomb at the top of the fourth to keep Texas A&M in the game, but the Golden Gophers responded with a homer of their own in the bottom of the inning to preserve a four-run lead, 6-2. 

“We came out flat. Then Makinzy Herzog came in and settled us down on the field and kept the game close, and what she did when she was on the field,” Evans said. “We needed every bit of it.”

A single by freshman Koko Wooley at the top of the sixth was all it took to shift momentum in favor of the Aggies.

Baker sparked the Maroon & White offense with a double to left field that sent Wooley across the plate. Herzog followed up with an RBI double before Rylen Wiggins tied the ballgame at 6-6 with a two-run single. 

Regaining their first-inning lead, Dack smashed a homer to put the Aggies ahead by two.

Minnesota tried to respond but only managed one run off a passed ball in the sixth.

Stepping to the plate with the bases loaded in the seventh, Uribe hit a two-run single but eventually ran into a double play. Still, it was enough to finalize the score.

A groundout and two strikeouts by freshman pitcher Emiley Kennedy later, and Minnesota was sent packing with Evans picking up her 1,300th career victory with the 10-7 win.

“I’m thrilled that it happened. It’s a big number, and it only happens because of the players that give everything they’ve got,” Evans said. “I’m really grateful to be able to coach and to be out there playing the game. Tonight was special. The way we won it made it more special.”

Up Next

Texas A&M will face top-seeded Oklahoma once more in the Norman Regional final tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT.