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Texas A&M Softball Goes Undefeated on Opening Weekend

By Shelbie Warr

Aug 3, 2016; Huntington Beach, CA, USA; Birmingham Thunderbolts helmets line the dugout during the game against the OC Batbusters at Huntington Beach Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Huntington Beach, CA, USA; Birmingham Thunderbolts helmets line the dugout during the game against the OC Batbusters at Huntington Beach Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 18 Texas A&M softball opened the 2017 season on Friday as hosts of the Aggie Classic. The Aggies finished the weekend a clean 4-0.

Aggie Softball finished 11th in the SEC last year and ranked 20th in the nation. The team had a 39-20 overall record and went 9-15 in conference. This season looks a little different as the team has grown and matured together.

The Aggies, chosen to finish sixth in the SEC from the preseason coaches poll – a whopping five spots higher than the previous year – are ready for the challenge the new season brings. The ladies in maroon and white come in ranked No 18 in the nation by ESPN, joining seven other SEC squads on the list.

The Ideal Opening Weekend

Texas A&M hosted the Aggie Classic this weekend to open the 2017 Softball Season. Also participating in the tournament were Ohio State, Lamar, and Central Michigan, playing in nine total games across the weekend. The ladies swept the tournament, defeating Lamar twice and Central Michigan and Ohio State once each.

Friday, Texas A&M vs Lamar

The ladies opened the weekend on Friday night vs the Cardinals of Lamar. Sophomore pitcher Samantha Show took the mound for the Aggies.

Last season, Show finished as a member of the All-SEC Freshman Team making 45 appearances on the mound for the Aggies. She started 32 games, throwing 17 complete. She tied for most starts in the SEC last year with 25 wins to her credit.

On Friday, she pitched a complete seven innings, allowing only one run on two hits.

The Aggie offense was quiet through six innings, largely part to a stellar performance by the Lamar starting pitcher Ciara Luana. She held the Aggies to two hits through the first five frames. Heading into the bottom of the sixth, Texas A&M trailed 1-0.

Sophomore infielder Kaitlyn Alderink, also a member of the 2016 All-SEC Freshman Team, got the rally started with a smooth single to the third base side. Junior infielder Tori Vidales reached on a fielder’s choice, putting Alderink out at 2nd base. Vidales would later score on a RBI single to right by Junior shortstop Kristen Cuyos. Samantha Show came up to bat and helped her own cause with an RBI double to left, scoring freshman pinch runner Miranda Miles. 

Despite a lead off walk to start the 7th inning, Show finished off the Cardinals with a double play and a quick fly out to give the Aggies their first victory of the 2017 season.