Series evens as A&M's four-game winning streak ends with 2-1 defeat
Game #30: No. 24 Alabama 2, No. 6 Texas A&M 1
Records: Texas A&M (25-5, 5-3), Alabama (22-11, 2-3)
WP: Catelyn Riley (6-1)
LP: Sydney Lessentine (4-1)
Save: Jocelyn Briski (1)
Box Score
Coming off of a thrilling win last night, No. 6 Texas A&M was back at it again in a tense face-off against Alabama on Saturday afternoon at Davis Diamond.
However, in an offensive struggle, No. 6 Texas A&M lost the battle against No. 24 Alabama, 2-1.
The Crimson Tide came in strong in the first inning with a single-turned-triple by Audrey Vandagriff on an error by first baseman Mya Perez, putting the visitors ahead 1-0.
In her first at-bat, Kennedy Powell singled to right field and stole her way to third. With a walk for Perez and a sacrifice ground out by Amari Harper, Powell scored to even the game.
Sydney Lessentine in the circle was backed with a strong defense to put an end to a fired-up offense. Allie Enright and Koko Wooley had some early on powerhouse at-bats to get on base, but the bats that followed just couldn’t get a handle on Alabama pitcher Catelyn Riley.
“It was about the little things, you know?” A&M head coach Trisha Ford said. “We made some miscues and then just didn’t get the big hit when you needed the big hit.”
Little did they know, the Aggie’s fate would be sealed on Riley’s home run to center field in the fourth.
Mac Barbara had a big hit in the fifth that made waves for the Crimson Tide resulting in Emily Winstead relieving Catelyn Riley in the circle.
However, A&M never found a timely hit.
After Lessentine battled through four innings, Grace Sparks entered in relief. With some amazing defense, Harper made an unbelievable dive in right field to steal a hit.
At this point in the game, the energy and tension in Davis Diamond became palpable, and the excitement put some pep in A&M’s step.
“At the beginning of the year, I felt like our offense really carried us, and our pitching was trying to figure things out. They were a little looser,” said Ford. “I feel like, today anyways, our pitching was good, but offensively, we had an off day.”
Powell had a huge hit, doubling to centerfield, but again, the inning ended scoreless.
In the sixth, the Ags lucked out by challenging a play at the plate that could’ve increased Alabama’s lead to 3-1. The call was reversed, and the 12th Man erupted in both relief and celebration.
The third pitcher for the Crimson Tide, Jocelyn Briski struck out the last two batters she faced to end the scoreless sixth.
In their last gasp, Kelsey Mathis hit a single down the left side, but it wasn’t enough for the Maroon & White as their four-game winning streak came to an end.
“We need to come out ready to go tomorrow,” said Ford. “Tomorrow’s a new day.”
The Aggies return to Davis Diamond for the rubber match against Alabama on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.