Vols Drop Series Opener at #6 Texas A&M

Friday, May 5

College Station, Texas

7:00 PM

University of Tennessee

42-9, 14-7

#8/6 Texas A&M

42-7, 16-5

Tennessee

Texas A&M

May 05, 2017 | Softball

Box Score

May 5, 2017

Box Score | Highlights

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- No. 6 Texas A&M scored multiple runs in the first and fourth innings to take control of Friday's series opener before holding on for a 5-1 victory over No. 9 Tennessee at the Aggie Softball Complex.

The Volunteers (42-9, 14-7 SEC) struggled with command in the circle, allowing seven walks on the night. Starter Caylan Arnold was unable to get out of the first inning after walking two batters and allowing three runs on a pair of hits. Kelsey Morrison entered in relief of Arnold and did a good job to limit the damage and get out of the inning by recording three straight outs.

UT also had a hard time getting the offense going, recording just three hits before the seventh inning. The Orange and White were held to less than two runs for the fourth time in five games.

The Vols' had a good chance to get on the board in the top of the third after CJ McClain stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Aggies' shortstop Riley Sartain made a diving catch on a line drive by Aubrey Leach one batter later to end the threat.

Morrison was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the third to keep the deficit at three. The sophomore right hander made a nice defensive play to throw Sarah Hudek out at home before getting Kaitlyn Alderink to fly out to right field to strand the bases loaded and end the threat.

However, Texas A&M (42-7, 16-5 SEC) loaded the bases again in the fourth and cashed in with a two-run double to center field from Hudek to extend the lead to 5-0.

The Vols broke up the shutout with a run in the top of the seventh. Brooke Vines doubled to lead off the inning and came around to score on a two-out single by Chelsea Seggern. Another single by Haley Bearden put runners on the corners with two outs, but pinch hitter Katie Weimer grounded out to end the game.

Tennessee ended up outhitting the A&M but no Vol had more than one hit on the night. Hudek led the Aggies with one hit and three RBIs while starting pitcher Trinity Harrington earned her 13th win of the year after throwing a complete game.

UP NEXT: Game 2 of the series is set for tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live online on SEC Network +/WatchESPN or listen to Brian Rice on Sports Radio WNML (AM 990).

OFFENSE STRUGGLES AGAIN: It was another rough game for the Volunteers' offense as they were only able to generate one run on six hits. UT had only three base knocks before a three-hit seventh inning and had just three runners advance past second base on the night.