Munnerlyn tosses A&M's first perfecto in 20 years during Friday twinbill
Game #18: No. 15 Texas A&M 8, Kennesaw State 0 (5 innings)
Records: Texas A&M (12-6, 0-0), Kennesaw State (4-11, 0-0)
WP: Kate Munnerlyn (2-3)
LP: Taylor Daniel (4-1)
Box Score
Game #19: Louisiana 10, No. 15 Texas A&M 8
Records: Texas A&M (12-7, 0-0), Louisiana (13-6, 0-0)
WP: Sage Hoover (3-2)
LP: Sidne Peters (4-2)
Box Score
No. 15 Texas A&M split a Friday doubleheader at Davis Diamond, run-ruling Kennesaw State 8-0 in five innings before falling short to Louisiana 10-8 on day two of the Texas A&M Invitational.
Pitcher Kate Munnerlyn made history in the early contest, throwing her first career perfect game with three strikeouts. It’s the first perfect game ffor the Aggies since Jill Weyand achieved perfection against Miami University on March 4, 2005, in a 3-0 victory.
A five-run third inning against the Owls was highlighted by Mya Perez, who slammed a two-run homer with two outs. Perez’s homer moved the score to 8-0, ultimately sealing the game for the Aggies.
But in the nightcap, defensive errors and pitching mistakes flipped the script for the Aggies, as Louisiana proved to be a challenge.
“It’s frustrating for everybody,” Texas A&M head coach Trisha Ford said. “At the end of the day, we have to be able to play at this level a certain type of way, and we’re not. I think we have to go back to the drawing boards and just keep working.”
Through four innings, A&M committed three errors. One came in the third, as Louisiana third baseman Brooke Otto doubled into left field. An error against Maddie Sauni moved Otto to third and scored Kennedy Marcaeux to make it 3-0.
“We didn’t play defense,” Ford said. “We didn’t make routine outs, and it led to crooked numbers on them. It’s a very simple game. Don’t throw the ball down the middle, and be able to play catch.”
Sidne Peters allowed five hits and five runs in 2.2 innings. Behind her, the Aggies used four different pitchers and three different catchers throughout the game.
“It begins and ends, I think, in the circle,” Ford said. “When we get some runs, we have to be able to shut them out, and I don’t think we’re doing a great job of that. I think that’s where we have to get better.”
At the plate, the offense produced 11 hits and eight RBIs in the losing effort. First baseman Micaela Wark blasted a grand slam over the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the deficit to 7-4. She went 1-for-3 with four RBIs and one walk.
Ariel Kowalewski also hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, but it came too late for the Aggies, as they fell 10-8. Kowalewski was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
Despite hot bats from the Aggies, scoring opportunities were missed, as runners batters were left on base.
“At the beginning of the game, we didn’t do a great job of doing things we needed to,” Ford said. “She (Louisiana pitcher Sage Hoover) doesn’t throw super hard, but she’s crafty. Obviously, we got to her, but it wasn’t until too late.”
The Aggies will look to bounce back on day three of the Texas A&M Invitational, as they tackle a Saturday doubleheader against Kennesaw State at 4:30 p.m. and Saint Mary’s at 7 p.m.