Texas A&M shuts out Mississippi State to clinch series victory

Bryan-College Station, Texas — No. 12 Texas A&M beat No. 14 Mississippi State 4-0 Saturday, claiming the series in college softball. The game was interrupted by rain in the second inning, which saw Texas A&M score three runs without a hit.

During the delay, the Aggies had already scored twice and loaded the bases with a 3-0 count. The game resumed after a 30-minute delay, with Texas A&M extending its lead. The Bulldogs’ pitcher, Alyssa Faircloth, matched her season-high in walks during the rain-affected inning, issuing four free passes and hitting two batters.

Mississippi State’s best scoring opportunity came in the sixth inning when two runners reached on a walk and an error, but the Bulldogs went down in order afterward. They also hit into double plays in the first and second innings and left two runners on base in the third.

Several Bulldogs contributed offensively, including Nadia Barbary, who extended her hitting streak to three games, and Kiarra Sells, who tied her career-long reached-base streak at 16 games. Faircloth finished with nine walks, allowed two hits, and struck out five in her outing.

Texas A&M’s scoring in the second inning was highlighted by a sacrifice fly from Micaela Wark that scored Hailey Golden, who had pinch-run after a walk. The Aggies added another run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly, sealing the victory.

The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. CT, with the game streaming on SEC Network+. Mississippi State will look to rebound in the final game of the series.

Source: Original Article