Spring Break
Showdown on Highway 30
Aggie softball team prepares for game against Sam Houston
By: T.D. Durham
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Sports
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Brock, an Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame member, coached the Aggies from 1982 to 1996, leading the team to five College World Series appearances and three national titles.
Brock is in his eighth season with Sam Houston and in 2007 led the Bearkats to their first NCAA Regional tournament.
A&M and Sam Houston met twice in 2008, with both games going A&M's way, 6-0 and 2-0.
The Bearkats, who opened their season this past weekend with the Domino's Pizza SHSU Classic, are undefeated in 2009.
Sam Houston defeated both Houston Baptist and Texas Southern twice each, holding their opponents to one run. In the tournament, Bearkats' senior pitcher Brandi Crnkovic became the school's all-time leader in strikeouts with 436.
Sam Houston's roster features two preseason All-Southland Conference selections in junior pitcher Morgan Mikulin and sophomore shortstop Hailey Wiginton.
With more than 50 miles separating the two schools, Aggie Head Coach Jo Evans said a small rivalry has bloomed between the teams.
"We know they want to beat us badly," Evans said. "We're expecting a tough game."
The Aggies are coming off a tournament win with a victory in the Aggie Classic on Saturday. A&M played two games each against Tulsa and UTSA, winning three of the four.
Sophomore pitcher Rhi Kliesing led the Aggies offensively going 5-10 in the tournament with three home runs and three walks. Kliesing, who posted a 2008 record of 12-4 on the mound, pitched two shut outs, allowing seven hits.
"The girls play more confidently with her on the mound," Evans said. "She has made a big statement about what she can do already this season."
Another pitcher, freshman Rebecca Arbino, made her first two starts of her collegiate career at the tournament.
Arbino, who split her two starts with a win against UTSA and a loss against Tulsa in the tournament, allowed four runs and 15 hits in 13.2 innings of work.
"I thought it was a good start for her," Kliesing said. "On opening day she may have been nervous, but she'll get over that really quick."
At the tournament, A&M started six players who were either freshmen or sophomores.
"We had a little bit of youth last weekend," Evans said. "But I think we can learn a lot from it and really move ahead."
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