All-American Kennedy anchors Texas A&M's strong pitching staff

Trisha Ford and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie softball team return to Davis Diamond on Thursday to open the 2025 season with the Aggie Classic. We’re looking ahead to the upcoming campaign with our 2025 Texas A&M Softball Preview Series.

The Aggies return to Davis Diamond with a doubleheader on Feb. 6 to begin the 2025 season.

Ranked No. 7 in the ESPN/USA poll, Texas A&M is set for a strong run this year with the addition of new talent and experienced veterans to Trisha Ford’s pitching staff.

As the Aggies step into the 2025 campaign, the team is armed with one of the deepest pitching staffs to ever see the circle in Aggieland.

Senior LHP Emiley Kennedy

Kennedy returns for her senior season after a stellar 2024 that saw her earn NFCA All-American Second Team honors, making history as the first A&M left-hander to earn All-American status in 41 years. Her dominance has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, and her leadership makes her one of the top pitchers in the SEC, according to her place on the SEC Softball Player of the Year watch list.

Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman

Emiley Kennedy earned preseason All-SEC honors entering her senior campaign. Of her 14 SEC starts, she threw 11 complete games vs. league competition in 2024.

“Lefty” posted a 24-11 record with a 1.93 ERA in 202.2 innings a year ago. Her impressive performance included ranking among the nation’s top 20 in wins (24), strikeouts (200) and innings pitched (202.2) while ranking third in the country in both shutouts (10) and complete games (24).

A standout in SEC play, Kennedy became the first A&M pitcher in 13 seasons to record double-digit shutouts and the first in 11 years to surpass 200 strikeouts in a season. She has been a workhorse in the league, earning All-SEC First Team honors after setting program records in innings pitched (100.1) and strikeouts (86) in conference play. Kennedy’s ability to perform under pressure was on full display propelling the Aggies into their first Super Regional appearance since 2018, and at the Austin Super Regional, she pitched 15.2 innings, including a complete game vs. Texas.

Kennedy’s memorable 2024 campaign included a notable career-high 16 strikeouts against UTSA and clinching the series at No. 13 Alabama by tossing 14 innings and striking out 12. Kennedy was named SEC Pitcher of the Week twice and earned D1 Softball National Pitcher of the Week honors after a dominant performance against South Carolina.

Her impressive junior year has the Aggies looking forward to her dominance and leadership in her senior season.

Senior RHP Emily Leavitt

Leavitt enters her senior campaign as a key veteran in A&M’s rotation, bringing valuable experience and versatility to the team. As a junior, she finished with an impressive 10-2 record and a 3.66 ERA in 67.0 innings pitched, making 11 starts and 24 total appearances.

Her ability to excel in high-pressure situations was evident throughout the season, with standout performances such as pitching 6.0 innings against No. 25 Auburn, striking out five and earning her sixth win of the season in a 14-6 run-rule victory. In a combined no-hitter against Prairie View A&M, she was dominant in relief, tossing five perfect innings and striking out seven.

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Emily Leavitt’s 67.0 innings pitched ranked third on A&M’s 2024 staff behind Emiley Kennedy (202.2) and Shaylee Ackerman (79.2).

Leavitt’s postseason contributions were crucial, including her 10th win of the season in the Bryan-College Station Regional against UAlbany, where she pitched four strong innings and only allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three.

Leavitt’s 67 strikeouts and 1.33 WHIP highlight her command, and her ability to keep hitters off balance will be vital as the Aggies look to build on their 2024 success heading into the 2025 season.

Junior RHP Grace Sparks

A powerhouse transfer from Ole Miss, Sparks brings two years of experience to Aggieland. Over her career, she has pitched 126.2 innings, struck out 88 and posted a solid 2.49 ERA. Sparks has tossed three complete games and a career-high of 10 strikeouts in a game.

Sparks made 20 starts and 41 total appearances with the Rebels, culminating in a 13-6 record. As a sophomore, she led Ole Miss with a 2.14 ERA and three shutouts. In 2024, she recorded a 9-3 record with 56 strikeouts, holding batters to a .243 average and scoring notable wins against No. 8 Arkansas and No. 25 Kentucky.

With her leadership and tenacity, she is highly anticipated to be a steadying presence.

Sophomore RHP Sidne Peters

A transfer from Washington, Peters made an immediate impact during her 2024 campaign with the Huskies, logging an 8-1 record and 70 strikeouts in 62.2 innings. Her 3.35 ERA and .185 opponent batting average have showcased her ability to limit damage.

Peters earned Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors after finishing second in the league in hits allowed per seven innings (4.80) and fourth in strikeouts per seven innings (7.80).

Before her time at Washington, Peters played at Santa Fe High School and was ranked No. 10 by Extra Innings Softball, recognized on the Extra Innings All-Summer Team and held a 0.80 ERA with a 23-5 record and 290 strikeouts in 2022 before earning Team MVP honors and being named First Team All-District. She was also a two-time 22-5A District MVP and Galveston County Player of the Year.

Mattie Taylor/Texas A&M Athletics

A native Texan, Sidne Peters pitched one year in the Pac-12 at Washington before returning to the Lone Star State.

Another versatile player, Peters batted a .406 with 43 hits, 43 RBI and 10 home runs as a senior in high school.

Peters's poise and proven track record are projected to contribute significantly to the Aggies’ pitching staff in 2025.

Freshman LHP Kate Munnerlyn

Munnerlyn enters the 2025 season as another promising newcomer from California. The left-hander posted an undefeated 15-0 record, a 0.52 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 107.1 innings pitched during her senior season at Saint Francis High School. She also contributed offensively with six home runs and 35 RBIs in 2024.

Her control and composure in the circle and the field are evident. Over her career, Munnerlyn led her team to the NorCal Championship game, being named the 49ers CVal-Hi Sports CCS Pitcher of the Year, won the Livermore Stampede and was named the tournament MVP and received All-Team recognition. In 2022, she led her team to win the NorCal Championship and WCAL and CCS Championship titles.

Munnerlyn was named the 2024 Gatorade California Softball Player of the Year as a senior after leading her team to the Central Coast Section Open Division Tournament Championship.

This freshman talent is anticipated to continue her upward trajectory in the circle this season.

Freshmen RHP Sydney Lessentine

Lessentine arrives at Texas A&M after an outstanding high school career at Alamogordo High School in New Mexico, where she excelled both in the circle and at the plate. In her career, she notched 54 wins, 679 strikeouts and an impressive 1.71 ERA. Her dominance extended beyond pitching, posting a .369 batting average with seven home runs, 49 RBI and a 1.172 OPS as a second baseman.

In 2024, Lessentine’s two-way performance earned her the Gatorade New Mexico Softball Player of the Year award, a testament to her versatility. A four-time All-District honoree and a member of the 2024 New Mexico High School Coaches Association Senior All-Star team, she was recognized as an All-Star in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

Lessentine is poised to make an impact on the Aggie roster with her versatility and consistency, making her a valuable addition to Ford’s program.

Freshman RHP Taylor Brown

Brown joins the Aggies after a dominant high school career at Washington High in Missouri. A three-time NFCA All-Region selection, Brown recorded 24 wins, a 0.50 ERA and 253 strikeouts as a senior, solidifying her reputation as one of the nation’s top pitching prospects.

Brown’s long list of accolades includes being a three-time All-State and All-Metro selection, along with multiple Player of the Year honors. Her ability to overpower hitters with precision and consistency makes her an immediate asset to A&M’s rotation, and expectations are high as she begins her collegiate journey.

As the Aggies reload their pitching staff, Brown’s domination could be a game-changer in SEC play.