The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas A&M
No. 3 Softball falls to No. 22 Texas A&M, 5-1
05.04.2011 | Softball
May 4, 2011
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The third-ranked Texas Softball team dropped its second Big 12 game of the season as it fell to No. 22 Texas A&M, 5-1, Wednesday night at the Aggie Softball Complex. The loss dropped the Longhorns to 44-6 on the season and 13-2 in conference action, while the Aggies improved to 37-13 and 9-5 in league play.
Sophomore All-America pitcher Blaire Luna (26-4) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on six hits, walking four and fanning eight in 4.1 innings of work. Freshman Rachel Fox spelled her to throw the final 1.2 innings, giving up one run on one hit, walking two and striking out two. Texas A&M starter Melissa Dumezich (23-8) earned the win, surrendering one run on four hits, walking three and striking out seven.
The loss dropped the Longhorns lead in the 2010-11 State Farm Lone Star Showdown standings to 8.5-to-7.5. This marks the seventh year of the Showdown, the all-sports athletic competition between Texas and Texas A&M. In order to win the Showdown, a school must acquire 10.0 points during the year.
The Horns grabbed an early 1-0 edge in the first, with freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington reaching on a fielder's choice and raced all the way home from first on freshman shortstop Taylor Thom's RBI double down the right field line. Washington reached after sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland led off the frame with a bunt single, but was cut down on the fielder's choice.
Texas A&M answered in the second, using three hits and a walk to push two runs across. Leftfielder Kelsey Spittler led off the frame with a single and advanced to third on Dumezich's single to left center. Shortstop Brittany Walker walked to load the bases and a two-run single by second baseman Natalie Villarreal scored two and gave A&M a 2-1 lead.
In the fifth, the Aggies tacked on two runs in the fifth, using a leadoff walk by designated player Meagan May to start the rally and a two-run homer to left center by third baseman Amber Garza to extend their lead to 4-1.
A&M added an insurance run in the sixth, loading the bases on a walk, a single and an error before a sacrifice fly by Kelsey Splitter scored Cassie Tysarcyzk to move the lead to 5-1.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, May 7 when it kicks off its two-game series at No. 8 Missouri. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. Central.
