Texas A&M softball splits a pair of pitcher's duels on regional Saturday

Press conference video courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics

Game 1: No. 13 Texas 2, Texas A&M 1

There is something special about seeing maroon and burnt orange on a field together, no matter the outcome.

On Saturday of the Austin Regional, Texas A&M lost yet another pitchers’ duel and fell to No. 13 Texas, 2-1.

Although the Aggies' offense sparked early, the flame was never able to fully ignite.

In the top of the third inning, Aiyana Coleman drew a walk which was followed by a Koko Wooley single.

Amari Harper then singled to center field. Ignoring the stop sign from third base coach Jeff Harger, Coleman rounded third and slid into home to give the Aggies their first and only run of the game.

However, the Longhorns immediately sparked their own flame and quickly took the lead.

After loading the bases, Emiley Kennedy relieved starter Madison Preston in the circle, but Kennedy was unable to escape the third unscathed, allowing two runs to score after an untimely error from Wooley.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Dynamic LHP Emiley Kennedy has appeared in all three regional games thus far, tossing 7.2 innings of scoreless ball and allowing just two hits.

The Longhorns then held control of all aspects.

In the circle, Citlaly Gutierrez and Sophia Simpson shut down A&M’s offense, combining for seven strikeouts.

“I think they did a nice job of mixing speeds and locating their pitches when they needed to,” head coach Trisha Ford said. “They were able to paint both corners, and I think the change-up is the golden ticket to pitching.”

Despite well-pitch, low-scoring affair, the Longhorns never wavered and ultimately sent the Aggies into an elimination game.

“Tight ballgame. We had some opportunities we weren’t able to cash in, and they were able to,” Ford said. “I think both pitchers threw well. They were just able to execute a couple more plays than we were.”

Game 2: Texas A&M 4, Texas State 2

Despite a heartbreaking loss to a rival earlier in the day, the A&M fought its way into the regional final on Sunday.

The second game on Saturday featured a familiar foe as the ladies in Maroon & White had beaten Texas State less than 24 hours before, and with a 4-2 win, the Aggies sent the Bobcats back to San Marcos.

A&M came out hot after a long break, putting two runs on the board in the top of the fourth inning and holding the lead for the rest of the game.

Morgan Smith started the charge, doubling a ball to deep left field and bringing Julia Cottrill in for the Aggies' first run of the contest. Friday night’s hero Aiyana Coleman then hit an RBI single to left to put the Aggies up, 2-0.

Chris Swann, TexAgs

With at least one hit in all three NCAA Tournament games, Wooley’s three-hit performance vs. Texas State on Saturday led the way for A&M’s offense.

After a quiet first few outings, Trinity Cannon finally put the bat on the ball and slammed a single through the left side bringing in Star Ferguson and Wooley for a 4-0 advantage in the fifth.

“I thought we were aggressive early in the counts,” Ford said. “Basically it’s just getting them out of their heads and getting them to play the game.”

To that point, Emily Leavitt had quieted the Bobcat bats, holding them scoreless through five innings.

Texas State did not go out quietly, though.

In the bottom of the sixth, Anna Jones’ two-run double scored Sara Vanderford and Hannah Earls, cutting A&M’s lead in half. Both of those runs were charged to Leavitt, who gave way to Kennedy.

But in typical fashion, Kennedy shut down the Bobcat quickly, sending the Aggies into the regional final.

“I think Emiley Kennedy has been just dynamic this whole weekend,” Ford said. “We’ve continued to put her in stressful situations, and she’s proven to be that pitcher I can rely on and perform in those big situations.”

A&M and Texas will now meet again in the regional final on Sunday at 1 p.m.