Kentucky softball 20-12 (1-8 SEC) suffered a series sweep against No.15 Texas A&M 22-9 (5-1 SEC) 9-6 in a thriller.
Looking at conference play so far in the season, Kentucky has struggled heavily against previous talented programs such as No. 5 Florida, and its last conference road series against Auburn.
The previous two games in the series against the Aggies were a one-sided contest favoring the home team. The Wildcats were run-ruled in their opening game of the series 10-2 and blown out 7-1 in the second game.
Kentucky looked to avoid the series sweep in the final game in College Station. While jumping out to an early lead with an RBI double at the top of the first, the offense looked solid and runners were getting driven in. Starting pitcher Sarah Haendiges, although allowing nine runs, got out of multiple jams to keep the Wildcats well within the game.
Karissa Hamilton and Carly Sleeman produced great power in the batter’s box, who both tallied home runs but was not sustainable in the later innings against a solid A&M lineup on the road.
The Wildcats would soon start to lose control of the game as Texas A&M’s plate discipline and baserunning would take a toll on Haendiges. The Aggies had many mid-game decisions that ultimately gave them the advantage to pull out the win. The Aggies utilized many pinch-runners and designated hitters that produced success on the basepaths.
In the bottom of the sixth was when the Aggies would start to pull away as they put up seven runs in the frame. Maddie Sauni tallied a 2-run RBI double, Frankie Vrazel hit an RBI triple and Micaela Wark put the nail in the coffin with a 3-run home run.
Most of the Texas A&M batting order recorded at least a hit. The impactful players from The Aggies in the game were Wark, Sauni, and Ariel Kowalewski. The three players combined for five RBI’ and five hits.
While completing the sweep over the Wildcats, the Aggies improved to 5-1 in conference play and 13-2 at home. Aggies will host Sam Houston on March 24 and soon travel to Austin for a three-game series against No. 1 Texas in the Lone Star Showdown.
For Kentucky, it continues to struggle in conference play and on the road. The Wildcats have lost three in a row and look to pick up some wins against the non-conference opponents against Bellarmine and Louisville.
Despite the unsuccessful weekend, head coach Rachel Lawson and the Wildcats look to build off this game and regain control for the rest of the schedule to possibly earn yet another 30 win season for the program.
