After playing four games over three days, the Maroon and White magic eventually ran out as No. 2 Texas A&M fell to No. 1 Texas 11-5 in the NCAA Tournament Austin Regional Final. A&M softball’s first season under coach Trisha Ford ends with a 35-21 record (12-12 SEC).
Over the last few days, the Aggies have been playing stellar defense, with the pitching also top-notch. However, the trouble has been on offense, as A&M had yet to score more than two runs except for Saturday night’s victory over Texas State.
Unfortunately, on Sunday, the Aggies did manage to put multiple runs on the board, but the Longhorns were too much offensively.
Texas finished batting 10-of-30 with eight walks and one hit by a pitch while striking out three times all afternoon. Courtney Day had a day to remember, producing four runs in two separate innings while hitting a two-run double in the first and a three-run double in the fifth.
A&M starting pitcher Shaylee Ackerman surrendered four runs, while Madison Preston provided relief and gave up one hit and two walks in 0.2 innings. Emiley Kennedy took the mound for the remainder of the game, but the damage was pretty much done, as she allowed Texas to score seven runs (three unearned) on seven hits.
The Maroon and White went 7-for-28 as a team with four walks, one homer, and one hit by a pitch while striking out six times. Koko Wooley (2-for-4) and Rylen Wiggins (2-for-4) finished with multiple hits. Riley Valentine launched a three-run homer in the fifth to cut the deficit 10-5, while Trinity Cannon hit an RBI groundout in the first to score Wooley.
🍖@allieenrightt | #GigEm pic.twitter.com/sYNBOBqRUr
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) May 21, 2023
Not over yet 👀@rvalentine_27 | #GigEm pic.twitter.com/mmoncNYPan
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) May 21, 2023
Final: Texas A&M 5, Texas 11
Aggies’ season ends with a 35-21 record.
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) May 21, 2023
While the loss stings, and at the expense of the Longhorns moving on no less, a 35-21 record under a new coach and new staff in year one is a feat to be proud of.
Final Score: Aggies 5, Longhorns 11 – W: Morgan, Mac; L: Ackerman, Shaylee
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