Texas A&M
Missouri
May Sets Single Season Home Run Record in Win over No. 11 Missouri
Apr 25, 2010 | Softball
April 25, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Freshman Rhi Kliesing who came through with a walk-off, RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to give the Aggies a 6-5 win over No. 11 Missouri at the Aggie Softball Complex.
In front of 1,076 fans and with the Aggies an out away from extra innings, freshman Sydney Shannon battled back from a 0-2 count to get on base with a walk. May, who was already 2-for-2 with two home runs, was thrown four straight balls, which put two runners on and moved pinch runner Kelsea Orsak into scoring position. With a full count, Kliesing then hit a clutch single to center that plated Orsak for the game winner.
"It says a lot about our potential as a team, to come back from a really devastating loss like we had yesterday," said A&M head coach Jo Evans. "This was exactly what we needed.
"It was crucial for Sydney to be able to set the table in the seventh, because then they (Missouri) had to throw to Meagan and Rhi and that's not easy to do. The way our kids responded and the fact that they believed they could win says a lot about our ball club."
May launched her 19th home run of the season to push the Aggies out to a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. That homer broke A&M's single season record which was previously held by Liz Mizera (1985) and Meagan Gibson (2005).
"Meagan is amazing," exclaimed Evans. "Her poise and presence at the plate is so unusual for a freshman and she's truly a great hitter."
Texas A&M added a run in the second as freshman Macie Morrow and advanced to third on a passed ball. Freshman Lauren Schwirtlich then legged out an infield single to the right side that scored Dumezich from third to give the Aggies a 2-0 advantage.
A&M gave up a lead-off walk to Catherine Lee to start the fourth and Missouri capitalized by scoring the runner on a two-out Aggie error.
The Tigers appeared to be in business again in the sixth, putting runners on second and third with no outs, but right-hander Dumezich worked her way out of the jam to keep the Aggies in the lead.
The A&M offense responded as May blasted her second four-bagger of the game and 20th of the season to start the bottom of the sixth. Kliesing followed with a single to help chase off Mizzou starter Kristin Nottlemann. The first pitch junior Kelsey Spittler saw from reliever Jana Hainey, was lifted off the scoreboard in right center for a two-run blast.
A&M took a four-run lead into the seventh, but could not hold off the strong-hitting Mizzou squad. The Tigers rallied for four runs on four hits in the inning to even the game at 5-5.
The Aggies were down to their last strike, but Shannon's walk set the table for the game-winning hit by Kliesing.
Dumezich (12-1) threw a complete game and earned the win in the circle. She allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits, walked three and struck out two.
"Mel gave us a chance to win a ball game and I'm really proud of the way she handled herself today," commented Evans.
Hainey (7-1) suffered her first loss of the season after giving up two runs on two hits and walking two.
Kliesing had a game-high three hits, added the game-winning RBI and scored a run.
Join Texas A&M softball as the team remains at the Aggie Softball Complex on Wednesday for its final home game of the regular season. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. against Baylor.
