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Aggie Softball records two run-rule victories Friday

Posted at 5:04 PM, Mar 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-02 18:04:22-05

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M Softball captured two run-rule victories Friday as the Aggies topped Texas A&M Corpus Christi, 8-0, in five innings and Lamar, 9-1, in six innings at Davis Diamond.

Against the Islanders, Hannah Mayo recorded her first victory of the season, as the right-hander tossed a complete game shutout. The Corpus Christi, Texas, native tallied six strikeouts and scattered five hits.

After the Aggies got out to a 1-0 lead in the first, the offense plated six runs on six hits to take a 7-0 lead after the second frame. Ashlynn Walls belted her first homer of the season before Kelbi Fortenberry drove in Taudrea Sinnie on a double. Haley Lee drove in Fortenberry with a single through the right side before Kelly Martinez caped off the inning with a sacrifice fly.

In game two, seven Aggie starters recorded a hit, led by Martinez who went 4-for-4 with a RBI. Abby Smith drove in three runs, including two on her third long ball of the season, as Riley Sartain and Blake-Ann Fritsch each had a pair.
In game two, seven Aggie starters recorded a hit, led by Martinez who went 4-for-4 with a RBI. Abby Smith drove in three runs, including two on her third long ball of the season, as Riley Sartain and Blake-Ann Fritsch each had a pair.
Payton McBride improved to 7-0 on the season after allowing only four hits with two walks and three strikeouts on the night.
Payton McBride improved to 7-0 on the season after allowing only four hits with two walks and three strikeouts on the night.
KEY INNINGS

vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

B1| Kelbi Fortenberry led off the inning with a walk before moving into scoring position on a Baylee Klingler double off the wall in left. Riley Sartain drew a walk to load the bases as Payton McBride plated Fortenberry on a fielder’s choice. Aggies 1, Islanders 0

B2| The Aggie offense exploded for six runs on six hits before recording an out. Ashlynn Walls blasted her first homer of the season, prior to a Kelbi Fortenberry RBI double. Following a walk by Klingler and Sartain getting hit by a pitch to load the bases, Haley Lee singled to right field, plating Fortenberry. Klingler later scored on a wild pitch before Kelly Martinez capped off the frame with a sacrifice fly to center. Aggies 7, Islanders 0

B4| Blake-Ann Fritsch recorded a one-out single and advanced to third on a stolen base and a groundout. Taudrea Sinnie plated Fritsch on an infield single. Aggies 8, Islanders 0

vs. Lamar

B1| The Aggies jumped out to an early lead as Abby Smith drove in Fortenberry on a bases-loaded groundout. McBride hit a sacrifice fly before Martinez plated Sartain on a single up the middle. A&M 3, LU 0

B2| Texas A&M extended its lead on a two-out, two-RBI double down the line by Riley Sartain, scoring Dani Elder and Fortenberry. A&M 5, LU 0

T3| The Cardinals responded with a run as Jade Lewis drove in Savana Mata on a sacrifice fly to left. A&M 5, LU 1

B6| The Aggies secured the run-rule victory by scoring four runs in the six, all with two outs. Following a Sartain walk, Abby Smith smashed her third home run of the season. McBride drew a walk and moved to third on a Martinez double. Blake-Ann Fritsch delivered the game-winner, plating two on a single to left. A&M 9, LU 1

Top Offensive Players:

Kelly Martinez | 4-for-6, 2B, 2 RBI

Blake-Ann Fritsch | 4-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI

Kelbi Fortenberry | 3-for-6, 4 R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB

Pitching Breakdown:

Hannah Mayo (1-0) – W, CG, SHO, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 6 K, BB

Payton McBride (7-0) – W, CG, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

WHAT THEY SAID
Head Coach Jo Evans

On the team’s execution during the doubleheader…

“We got very specific about the things we were going to focus on tonight. We threw strikes, attacked hitters, and offensively we did a better job moving runners. We improved on picking up runners, but we could get better at that. We did a really good job with two outs, getting some big RBIs, and starting some rallies with two outs. I was pleased to see that. I thought we were a little smarter at the plate. We still had some hitters that got a little outside of themselves and chased some pitches, but for the most part I thought we had more quality at bats tonight.”

Junior Outfielder Kelbi Fortenberry

On what she did to help spark the team’s offense in both games…

“I was just being patient at the plate. I wanted to see where the strike zone was and picking my pitch not just the pitcher’s pitch. That was huge.”

On the impact of getting the two run-rule victories after a series of loses…

“It’s giving us confidence. With all the things we worked on in practice and coming back from those loses, it helped us gain our confidence back that we had lost.”

Redshirt Freshman Pitcher Hannah Mayo

On the difference in her performance today…

“I think I had a better mindset. Obviously, I was excited to come and get the start against the school from my hometown. I was making sure I took a batter at a time, an out at a time and inning at a time. When you do that, it’s easy to put together five good ones.”

ON DECK

The Aggies return to action Saturday in day two of the Texas A&M Invite with a rematch against Lamar scheduled to start at 12:15 p.m. before a 3 p.m. tilt with Longwood.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow the Aggies wherever they go by following @AggieSoftball on Instagram and Twitter or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TAMUSoftball.