Game #23: No. 4 Texas A&M 3, No. 3 Florida 2
Records: Texas A&M (21-2, 1-0), Florida (24-2, 0-1)
WP: Emiley Kennedy (6-2)
LP: Katelyn Oxley (3-1)
Box Score
What happens when the first top-five matchup comes to Davis Diamond?
Fireworks.
Not only were there fireworks at the conclusion of the game, but there were fireworks from a Texas A&M squad that celebrated Trisha Ford’s 100th win as the Aggies’ head coach.
The biggest fireworks came in the seventh inning when No. 4 A&M walked it off in the seventh inning on a Mac Barbara single to left field and an ensuing wild sequence that ended in a 3-2 victory over No. 3 Florida.
“To be honest with you, I didn’t know,” Ford said. “I hope to have many more wins here in Aggieland, and all you guys know this: It’s not me. I have a phenomenal coaching staff that I have been with for a long time. It’s a great honor.”
After Kennedy Powell powered a single with two outs, Barbara entered back into the game.
“I hope to have many more wins here in Aggieland, and all you guys know this: It’s not me. I have a phenomenal coaching staff that I have been with for a long time. It’s a great honor.”
- Texas A&M head coach Trisha Ford
Setting up the winning run that crossed the plate was courtesy of a throwing error by Gator third baseman Kenleigh Cahalan when Barbara advanced to second base. The throw allowed Powell to score the winning run.
“I think there is going to be a lot of opportunities for us to get better and a lot of opportunities for us to learn, but I think anytime you start conference play, you want to start it off on the right foot,” Ford said earlier this week.
Starting off on the right foot with that mindset was exactly what the Ags ordered and got.
Friday’s game, which opened SEC play, was the perfect way to light up and fuel the energy that Ford & Co. have brought this entire season with another solid outing from Emiley Kennedy.
“It’s always good to get the first SEC game of the year, and it was a good team win,” Kennedy said. “It took everyone to win that ball game.”
An intense night, the pressure mounted in the first inning when “Lefty” allowed two Gators on base but was able to get out of the inning with help from her defense.
The second inning raised more concern as she gave up her second walk and a deep flyout to the wall that was caught by Allie Enright.
It became more compelling when Florida had another pair of runners on base before Kennedy was able to get help from KK Dement, Koko Wooley and Mya Perez for a much-needed double play.
The fifth inning saw a review that was originally called safe and overturned to an out, but Florida’s first run was a solo shot by Taylor Shumaker that went directly to center field.
Momentum turned upside down when Perez hit a sacrifice fly for her second RBI of the evening, giving A&M a 2-1 lead.
But in the blink of an eye, it was tied again when Kennedy gave up her second home run in the sixth.
Kay Naegeli, TexAgs
No. 4 Texas A&M’s walk-off win pushes the Aggies’ record to 21-2 and 1-0 in SEC play.
Two more walks were added to Kennedy’s night, but it did not affect her approach in the circle when she finished strong, which gave her squad another opportunity to put an end to the madness.
“I thought ‘Lefty’ threw a heck of a game,” Ford said. “Obviously, that’s a good offensive team, and I thought she executed her pitches when she needed to.”
The Gators left eight runners on base and failed to capitalize.
Perez’s sacrifice fly in the sixth was nearly out of the ballpark, but Kendra Falby brought it back with her glove over the wall.
Powell led the Aggies with two of the A&M’s six hits, while Wooley, Barbara and Frankie Vrazel each tallied a hit.
“Every pitch in those games are stressful,” Ford said. “I thought we did a great job of just coming out and taking one pitch at a time. I’m sure both teams will go back and tinker with some things and come ready to go tomorrow.”
The top-five showdown resumes on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT.
