Texas A&M
Sam Houston State
No. 21 Aggies Overcome Bearkats, 2-1
Feb 17, 2010 | Softball
Feb. 17, 2010
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Last year it took the Texas A&M softball team 14 innings to come out ahead against Sam Houston State at the Bearkat Softball Complex. On Wednesday evening, it only took seven innings for the Aggies to battle to a 2-1 victory.
Two runs in the fifth inning made the difference, the first being sophomore Macie Morrow. The win improves A&M to 5-1 and moves Sam Houston to 1-5 on the year.
"It's always tough coming here," said head coach Jo Evans. "I feel like it's always a close game. They just play hard and gut it out. They're a team that never lets down and they get their cuts at the plate, so I'm pleased to get away with a win."
The Kats started the game by loading the bases with one out in the first inning, but the Aggies got out of the early jam with two infield putouts.
After retiring three straight in the second, Sam Houston moved another runner into scoring position with one out in the third, but A&M worked its way out of the inning and kept the game scoreless.
The Aggies had runners in scoring position in the first and fourth frames, but it was not until the fifth inning that Orsak led off with her first career home run, a solo shot to right field.
"She's been in a slump and it was great to see her get up and settle in, and get her hacks," Evans said. "There's probably nobody we're happier for than when Kelsea gets up there and feels good about herself. She's such a great kid and works hard."
With one out, Morrow then drew a walk before freshman and Big 12 Player of the Week, Rhi Kliesing walked to load the bases. With senior Alex Reynolds at the plate, a wild pitch sent all three base runners sprinting and Morrow slid safely across home plate for a 2-0 A&M lead.
"From our angle it was hard to tell what the ball was doing," said Evans. "Alex didn't budge and all of a sudden it crossed behind her and I think Macie got a little bit of a late jump, but did a great job to get a read and get down there. It ended up being the difference in the game."
Sam Houston's Amy Brown led off the sixth with a single up the middle and was sacrificed to second before Erin Burford hit a two-out, RBI single through the left side to bring the Kats within one, 2-1.
SHSU lead-off hitter, Shelbi Tucker, started the seventh with a single, but never advanced past first base. On the final out, Kim Damian hit a hard line drive to left field, but junior Kelsey Spittler made a leaping catch on the line to secure the Aggies' sixth win.
Sophomore Rebecca Arbino earned her second victory after giving up one run on five hits, walking three and striking out nine. Morgan Mikulin was saddled with the loss.
"You have to tip your hat to Becca," said Evans. "She got in trouble a bunch and got out of trouble a bunch. We found a way to win the ball game and that had to do with Becca just bearing down in the last inning."
Reynolds led the Aggies on offense, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Senior Bailey Schroeder added a double, May and Morrow each hit singles and Orsak went yard for A&M's only RBI.
Texas A&M opens the home portion of its schedule as it hosts the Aggie Classic this weekend at the Aggie Softball Complex. Mississippi State is A&M's first home opponent of 2010 on Friday at 3 p.m. The Aggies play five games on the weekend.
"I feel good about our team but there are still some things we can improve on and we'll keep going to work on that. This weekend is going to be really tough. We're going to have to have our best game and really be attacking the ball at the plate. It's so nice to play at home. There's just something about it that feels really good."
