University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
#2 Texas A&M
UMass Softball Stuns #2 Texas A&M, 4-1
March 01, 2008 | Softball
March 1, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ga. -Brandice Balschmiter gave up just one run on nine hits with five strikeouts as the UMass softball team pulled off a stunning 4-1 upset over the second-ranked Texas A&M Aggies at the NFCA Leadoff Classic Saturday in Columbus, Ga. Sophomore Sarah Reeves went 1-for-3 with 3 RBI as the Minutewomen move to 5-8 on the season.
The win over the second-ranked Aggies was UMass' highest against a ranked opponent since the 2002 season in which the Minutewomen beat No. 2 Stanford 3-1. Assistant coach Kristi Stefanoni was a freshman on that 53-13 squad.
The Minutewomen bats were tough against Aggie freshman pitcher Rhiannon Kliesing, who came into the game with a perfect 6-0 record. Junior Samantha Salato led off the bottom of the first inning with a single through the gap in shortstop before sophomore Jessica Serio moved her to third as she drilled a pitch through the legs of the Aggie third baseman to put runners in scoring position with two outs. On the next at-bat Reeves knocked a 2-RBI single into left field to give UMass a 2-0 lead.
Reeves extended the UMass lead to three in the bottom of the third with a soft grounder to short that held up long enough for speedy sophomore Jill Andrews to score from third. Andrews slid just passed the out-stretched arms of the A&M catcher as the umpire called her safe at home plate. Senior Stacy Cullington added an insurance run one bat later on a single into the same spot in left field bringing in junior Davina Hernandez.
The Aggies got one back in the top of the fourth on a RBI single to left field but the UMass defense eliminated any further threat as Cullington relayed a throw from Salato in right field to Serio at home for the tag on an A&M runner to end the top of the inning.
Balschmiter continued her brilliance from there on out as she moved her record to an even 4-4 on the season. With the win, the Minutewomen ended Texas A&M's 15-game win streak.
In game two, the Minutewomen scored four runs on two hits drawing four walks and a hit batsman to drown the Auburn Tigers 6-3.
Sophomore Bailey Sanders took the circle for UMass against Auburn and picked up where Balschmiter left off. After lasting just two innings in a 6-0 loss to Florida State yesterday, Sanders rebounded nicely retiring 11 of the first 15 Auburn batters faced.
Despite just five hits offensively, UMass gave Auburn pitcher Anna Thompson all kinds of fits in the circle on the evening. The main cause of disaster was UMass senior left fielder Lauren Proctor, who in the top of the second inning, put the Minutewomen up 1-0 on a triple to right-center scoring junior Whitney Mollica all-the-way around from first base. With the tri-fecta, Proctor broke a 3-for-34 (.088) slump and added to it with a double on her next at-bat.
Salato was inches away from a grand slam in the next inning after sending a fastball to deep center with bases loaded that was caught on a diving catch by the Auburn centerfielder who crashed through the wall for the out. Sophomore Whitney Williams did tag from third on the play and run in for the score to give Salato a sacrifice fly.
In the top of the fourth UMass used its patience and good batting to draw the four walks and score the four runs and give Sanders a 6-1 lead. Sanders gave up two more runs before Balschmiter came in to get the save but not before the sophomore right-hander struck out seven Auburn batters for her second win of the season.
UMass will go back to work Sunday against No. 18 Mississippi State at 12:30 p.m. EST to close out the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
