Ags outlast UTSA in extras as Kennedy ties A&M's single-game K record

Game #15: No. 17 Texas A&M 5, UTSA 1 (8 innings)
Records: Texas A&M (14-1), UTSA (4-12)
WP: Emiley Kennedy (7-0)
LP: Jamie Gilbert (2-5)
Box Score

It was a battle of the defenses.

To conclude the Texas A&M Invitational, No. 17 Texas A&M clinched a win over the UTSA Roadrunners 5-1 in a grueling battle in eight innings on Sunday.

Emiley Kennedy proved to be a commodity in the circle and remained an absolute force to the Roadrunners as she allowed no runs and no hits until the top of the eighth inning. Kennedy amassed 16 strikeouts on the day, a career-high that tied the school’s record.

“I was struggling earlier in the weekend, so today I was just working out the kinks, and my defense had my back, too,” Kennedy said.

The Aggies’ defense was consistent throughout the series; however, they failed to capitalize in the box on multiple occasions.

“I think we aren't swinging at good pitches, to be honest with you,” A&M head coach Trisha Ford said. “We’re chasing, and sometimes when you face certain pitchers, you think you can hit anything. One of my sayings is: ‘Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.’ I feel like we’re getting a little too aggressive in the box.”

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Texas A&M moved to 17-1 overall after Sunday’s walk-off victory. 

The momentum shifted as UTSA’s Erykah Guerrero’s RBI single put the day's first run on the board.

The run came via an international tiebreaker rule, which began the eighth inning with a runner on second base and nobody out.

“I think I was going ‘in in in,’ and she knew it was going to be in, so she took a good swing on a good pitch,” Kennedy said.

After that, the Aggies kicked it into gear.

To start the bottom of the eighth, Koko Wooley singled and advanced to second on a throwing that brought in Amari Harper to tie the score, 1-1.

Davis Diamond erupted with noise.

UTSA intentionally walked power hitters Julia Cottrill and Jazmine Hill to load the bases.

Trinity Cannon entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Mya Perez.

With a 1-2 count, Cannon took the next pitch. While the stadium debated whether it was a strike, the umpire called it low.

“I kind of held my breath, too, because I didn’t know,” Ford said. 

Cannon then fouled the next pitch.

“She was off the plate, so I knew it must have been in,” Ford said. “Then Trin’s locked in, so that was a really good take.”

With the game on the line, Cannon blasted a walk-off grand slam to end the weekend series.

“I knew she had been coming with the curls, and they had been getting jams, so I knew I had to try and get inside the ball,” Cannon said. “I thought that ball was low, and I am glad the blue thought the same thing. I knew I had to be there for my teammates because they had been there for me the rest of the games.”

The Aggies will be back in Davis Diamond on Tuesday against Sam Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.