Spring Break
Softball team continues to struggle in Big 12
By: T.D. Durham
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Sports
The Texas A&M softball team fell to 23-14 in 2009 and 1-4 in Big 12 Conference play after being swept Saturday by the No. 12 Missouri Tigers in a doubleheader.
A&M, which allowed two two-run home runs in its loss to Texas before traveling to Columbia, Mo., was overpowered by the long ball again in both of its games against the Tigers.
The Aggies were outscored 17-1 in the doubleheader and 12 of Missouri's runs came from home runs. Collecting dingers for the Tigers were sophomore catcher Megan Christopher, senior third baseman Lindsay Ubrun, senior right fielder Micaela Minner and sophomore first baseman Marla Schweisberger.
A&M was held to five hits in both games combined under the pitching pressure of Tigers' senior Stacey Delaney and freshman Kristin Nottelman.
The Tigers took an early lead in the first game when Missouri junior designated player Julie Silver's two-RBI home run and Ubrun's RBI double gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead in the second inning.
Despite a leadoff double from sophomore first baseman Kara Rau and a sacrifice hit from freshman center fielder Kelsea Orsak, the Aggies were unable to score any runs in the top of the third inning.
The Tigers finished off the Aggies with a run-rule 8-0 score in the fifth inning by means of a walk-off two-RBI home run from Ubrun.
Sophomore pitcher Rhi Kliesing received the loss and fell to 14-9 after allowing three runs, two hits and three walks in her start. Freshman Rebecca Arbino made an appearance in the game, allowing the other five runs on three hits, one walk and one strikeout.
Delaney allowed two hits and recorded six strikeouts for the win.
In the second game of the doubleheader, senior pitcher Savanna Lloyd made her first start for the Aggies since transferring from Boston College during the offseason, but was dealt her first loss of the season with a 9-1 defeat.
The Tigers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second game after an RBI single from Silver and a home run from Minner.
Missouri increased its lead in the second and third innings after a grand slam from Schweisberger and a solo home run from Christopher, her second of the day.
The Aggies scored their only run of the series in the top of the fifth inning. Sophomore second baseman Natalie Villarreal hit a leadoff double and was advanced to second on a ground out by Kliesing. Senior catcher Erin Glasco plated Villarreal with an RBI ground out to the shortstop.
The Aggies struggled to contain the Missouri offense, which scored its ninth run in the fifth inning, run-ruling the Aggies for the second consecutive game.
Upcoming game
A&M vs. Oklahoma State 5 p.m. Wednesday
A&M, which allowed two two-run home runs in its loss to Texas before traveling to Columbia, Mo., was overpowered by the long ball again in both of its games against the Tigers.
The Aggies were outscored 17-1 in the doubleheader and 12 of Missouri's runs came from home runs. Collecting dingers for the Tigers were sophomore catcher Megan Christopher, senior third baseman Lindsay Ubrun, senior right fielder Micaela Minner and sophomore first baseman Marla Schweisberger.
A&M was held to five hits in both games combined under the pitching pressure of Tigers' senior Stacey Delaney and freshman Kristin Nottelman.
The Tigers took an early lead in the first game when Missouri junior designated player Julie Silver's two-RBI home run and Ubrun's RBI double gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead in the second inning.
Despite a leadoff double from sophomore first baseman Kara Rau and a sacrifice hit from freshman center fielder Kelsea Orsak, the Aggies were unable to score any runs in the top of the third inning.
The Tigers finished off the Aggies with a run-rule 8-0 score in the fifth inning by means of a walk-off two-RBI home run from Ubrun.
Sophomore pitcher Rhi Kliesing received the loss and fell to 14-9 after allowing three runs, two hits and three walks in her start. Freshman Rebecca Arbino made an appearance in the game, allowing the other five runs on three hits, one walk and one strikeout.
Delaney allowed two hits and recorded six strikeouts for the win.
In the second game of the doubleheader, senior pitcher Savanna Lloyd made her first start for the Aggies since transferring from Boston College during the offseason, but was dealt her first loss of the season with a 9-1 defeat.
The Tigers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second game after an RBI single from Silver and a home run from Minner.
Missouri increased its lead in the second and third innings after a grand slam from Schweisberger and a solo home run from Christopher, her second of the day.
The Aggies scored their only run of the series in the top of the fifth inning. Sophomore second baseman Natalie Villarreal hit a leadoff double and was advanced to second on a ground out by Kliesing. Senior catcher Erin Glasco plated Villarreal with an RBI ground out to the shortstop.
The Aggies struggled to contain the Missouri offense, which scored its ninth run in the fifth inning, run-ruling the Aggies for the second consecutive game.
Upcoming game
A&M vs. Oklahoma State 5 p.m. Wednesday
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