In the final game of the Campbell/Cartier Classic and the second match up against Oregon, Texas A&M softball shot down the Ducks 2-0.
With a full inning of no scoring, the Aggies and the Ducks each left a runner on second in the first inning. Sophomore 3B Kennedy Powell was walked by freshman P Taylour Spencer, and she earned her seventh stolen base this season.
Singling it through the right side, senior CF Hanna Delgado advanced to third on a throwing error by junior RF Allie Enright. In a double play, junior SS Koko Wooley threw to Powell who threw to senior C Julia Cottrill. Oregon’s coaching staff wanted an obstruction call on Cottrill, but there is no replay in this series.
Graduate P Shaylee Ackerman bounced back by striking out senior Duck 3B Tehya Bird for the third out of the top of the second. After a quick four batters for the Aggies in the second, Ackerman stepped back into the circle.
For the third consecutive inning, Oregon had the lead off hitter reach as junior SS Paige Sinicki made it to first. Redshirt junior LF Kai Luschar stole second then fifth-year RF Ariel Carlson was walked by Ackerman. Wooley’s throw to Powell left two stranded as the Maroon and White got a third out.
A slow bottom of the third for A&M’s batters led to junior P Emily Leavitt subbing in for Ackerman. Bird struck out swinging by Leavitt’s change up to go into the bottom of the frame.
Junior OF Kramer Eschete’s first hit as an Aggie was a single up the middle as a pinch hitter for sophomore CF Keely Williams. Enright doubled to left field and advanced to third on a throwing error by Luschar causing Eschete to score. Enright was called out at third due to an Aggie outside of the dugout being hit with the ball.
A second double play of the day initiated by Wooley was earned by A&M as the shortstop threw to sophomore 1B Amari Harper to get Luschar and Sinicki out.
Leavitt walked Carlson, causing coach Trisha Ford to bring in junior P Emiley Kennedy. She came back from three balls to a full count and a strikeout looking for fifth-year C Emma Kauf. Carlson stole her third base of the season on second. Delgado struck out looking by Kennedy to enter the bottom of the sixth.
Cars in San Diego feared her as Cottrill homered to left field, the 2-0 lead forced the Ducks to bring fifth-year P Morgan Scott into the circle.
Kennedy walked senior 2B KK Humphreys then struck out Bird and Sinicki looping and swinging, respectively. The final batter senior 1B Alyssa Daniell’s hit flied out to Eschete who caught it and ended the game.
The Aggies will return home to open the Texas A&M Invitational on Thursday, Feb. 22. The first opponent for A&M will be Southeastern Louisiana at 5:15 p.m.
