Game One Recap: Softball – No. 21 Texas A&M vs No. 3 Tennessee
No. 21 Texas A&M (21-12) went back and forth with No. 3 Tennessee (28-2) in a pitching and defensive battle that went into extra innings. Between both teams, there was only one hit through the first seven innings. The Aggie coaching staff had to be pulling out their hair as Texas A&M hitters stranded 9 runners and had the bases loaded twice but could not score until late.
There’s not a lot to say about this game other than Emily Leavitt and Shaylee Ackerman really stepped up to keep the game winnable. After a solid two innings from Leavitt, the Vols put Trinity Cannon and Rylen Wiggins on base via a hit-by-pitch and a walk. Then with two outs, Tennessee walked Allie Enright to load the bases, but a strikeout of Amari Harper would leave the Aggies scoreless stranding three runners.
Leavitt maintained the goose egg on the scoreboard through five innings only allowing one hit and striking out seven batters along the way.
💪 day in the circle @emilyleavitt25
4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 KK pic.twitter.com/J3rkHAo90m
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) March 31, 2023
The Aggies once again had the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth with two outs but hit it right to second base for the third out causing them to leave the inning empty-handed. Ackerman stepped in and after a wild pitch, she settled in getting the Aggies into the top of the tenth inning before Tennessee finally started to get a few things going. A double and a single by Tennessee put runners in scoring position, but unfortunately after playing so well the defense gave up a very costly error that put two scores on the board.
Now in a must-score scenario the Aggies tried to rally, and it started off with an Enright hit to center field. Then mother nature needed to give the earth a little bath causing an hour and a half delay in play. When they finally got back on the field the tying score was at home plate. Enright was able to eventually get to third base and with two outs a wild pitch allowed her to score cutting the lead in half.
Aggies score after a wild pitch. Texas A&M trails, 2-1, in the bottom of 10th with two outs. #GigEm pic.twitter.com/NZSoQTHKzc
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 1, 2023
After a full-count walk to get Morgan Smith on base, Julia Cottrill hit a single to left field putting runners at first and second. Cannon has been hitting great in this situation lately, but even with decent contact on her hit, the right fielder made a routine catch to end the game 2-1 with Tennessee taking game one.
A loss is a loss, but to battle the No. 3 team in the conference to a 2-1 loss through 10 innings showed that when they are dialed in defensively, they can play with the best in the country.
Final Score: Aggies 0, Volunteers 0 – W: Rogers, Ashley (11-0); L: Ackerman, Shaylee (5-5) S: Karlyn Pickens (2)
Game two will take place at 1 pm at Davis Diamond on Saturday.
Final: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 2.
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 1 p.m on the SEC Network.
— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) April 1, 2023
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