No. 17 A&M splits Friday doubleheader in Judi Garman Classic

Game #19: Weber State 5, No. 17 Texas A&M 4 (8 innings)
Records: Texas A&M (17-2), Weber State (9-7)
WP: Brook Merril (5-3)
LP: Emiley Kennedy (8-1)
Box Score

Game #20: No. 17 Texas A&M 4, Cal State Fullerton 1
Records: Texas A&M (18-2), Cal State Fullerton (10-8)
WP: Emiley Kennedy (9-1)
LP: Leanna Garcia (0-1)
Box Score

The following is a press release from Texas A&M Athletics:

FULLERTON, Calif. – The No. 18 Texas A&M softball team split day two of the Judi Garman Classic defeating host Cal State Fullerton, 4-1, after falling to Weber State, 5-4, in extra innings, Friday night at Anderson Family Field.

Emiley Kennedy earned her ninth win of the season striking out 10 batters and going the distance for the eighth time in her ninth start this season. The junior recorded double-digit strikeouts for a third consecutive start, marking the first time an Aggie starter has recorded 10 or more strikeouts in at least three consecutive starts since Lexi Smith did so in four consecutive starts in 2017.

Texas A&M (18-2) was led by Keely Williams at the dish hitting 1-for-2 with a double, two RBI and one walk. Trinity Cannon and Julia Cottrill added an RBI each, while Cannon, Kramer Eschete, Amari Harper and Jazmine Hill scored runs in the first two innings.

The 18 wins are the most in the first 20 games to start the season since 2017 when the Aggies began 19-1.

Cal State Fullerton (10-8) threatened numerous times, including the fourth inning leaving two runners on base and the sixth inning as Kennedy escaped a bases-loaded jam striking out the final two outs of the frame.

Prior to the win, Texas A&M suffered its second loss of the season to Weber State (9-7) in eight innings. The Aggies trailed 2-0 after four innings, before plating two runs to in the top of the fifth to tie the game. Weber State answered back in the bottom half as the Aggies trailed 3-2 after the fifth inning. Down to their last out, the Aggies evened the score in the top of the seventh after Kennedy Powell singled and scored following an Amari Harper single.

Playing by the international tie-breaker rule, the Aggies scored a run in the top of the eighth before Weber State answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half. 

UP NEXT
Texas A&M plays DePaul at 7 p.m. on Saturday to wrap up the Judi Garman Classic.

GAME ONE
SCORING SUMMARY

B3 | Taegan Smith homered to left field. TAMU 0, WSU 1

B4| Abby Grundy hit a solo home run to left field. TAMU 0, WSU 2

T5| Allie Enright and Amari Harper walked before Jazmine Hill doubled to right center to tie things up. TAMU 2, WSU 2

B5| Rushton singled and scored following a double to left center by Smith. TAMU 2, WSU 3

T7| Kennedy Powell singled to center field and stole second. Amari Harper singled to center to score Powell. TAMU 3, WSU 3

T8| Hill was placed on second via the international tie-breaker rule and scored after Trinity Cannon doubled to right center. TAMU 4, WSU 3

B8| Whalen started at second and advanced to third on a passed ball before scoring on another passed ball as Birkinshaw walked. Memoli singled to score Birkinshaw for the game winning run. TAMU 4, WSU 5

GAME TWO
SCORING SUMMARY

T1 | Jazmine Hill and Trinity Cannon walked, followed by Keely Williams lining a double to right center to score Hill. Julia Cottrill singled to shortstop scoring Cannon. TAMU 2, CSF 0

T2 | Kramer Eschete led off with a single and stole second, before scoring after Amari Harper was hit-by-pitch, a walk and a fielder's choice. Williams got her second RBI of the night after earning a walk to score Harper. TAMU 4, CSF 0

B7 | Delgadillo singled up the middle and scored after Alcala singled to third base. TAMU 4, CSF 1