Texas A&M softball opens SEC play with a weekend sequence >what day< in opposition to the Florida Gators at Davis Diamond.
The Aggies (20-2) had a robust begin to the season passing early assessments in opposition to Baylor, Florida State and Texas Tech. The walk-off loss to Oklahoma State was the distinction of 1 swing and the primary loss to Tech was in all probability the Aggies’ worst exhibiting to date due to 4 fielding errors.
A&M stays aggressive on the plate, getting a number of manufacturing from the center of the order from freshman hitters Frankie Vrazel (21 hits and slugging .458) and KK Dement (22 hits and slugging .726). First baseman Mya Perez leads the Aggies to date this season with 31 RBIs.
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Pitcher Emiley Kennedy had a troublesome begin in opposition to Texas Tech, however bounced again getting the save in opposition to Idaho State. Kennedy shouldn’t be frightened in regards to the tough begin.
“Only a little bit of rising pains. It is the start of the season. We do not win championships in February… simply attempting to get out the bumps now,” Kennedy informed reporters Tuesday.
SEC softball is deep this 12 months, because of the addition of Massive 12 softball powerhouse packages Oklahoma and Texas. It is usually the primary time a top-five matchup to happen at Davis Diamond.
Extra: Texas A&M softball: Aggies cut up video games vs Texas Tech, dominate others earlier than SEC play
Rising pains within the circle
Kennedy acquired the save for the Aggies in opposition to Idaho State, a transparent signal of focus and resilience after her second lack of the season in opposition to Tech. The senior is aware of what she has to do to enhance within the circle for the Aggies.
However A&M’s pitching employees might depend on a younger arm in upcoming huge video games.
“(Sydney) Lessentine is now not going to get a few of these video games, she goes to be welcomed into the SEC fairly quickly,” head coach Trisha Ford mentioned Tuesday.
The freshman pitcher is 4-0 for the Aggies with 42 strikeouts on the season and had a powerful no-hitter in opposition to George Washington. Ford is aware of Lessentine may have her ups-and-downs within the league, however she additionally believes the younger pitcher has the talents to regulate.
She could also be put to the check in opposition to Florida.
Be fast however do not hurry
From overthrows to first base to dropping grounders that ought to’ve been straightforward outs, A&M’s fielding didn’t look sharp final weekend.
“It’s important to play with tempo. It’s important to be fast, however it will possibly’t be quick and there’s a distinct distinction to me,” Ford defined.
Extra: Texas A&M softball 2025 preview: Who returns for top-10 Aggies
Dashing to make the play price A&M three runs within the first recreation in opposition to Texas Tech, which could have stored the sport nearer. To work on the basics so errors usually are not exploited by a proficient Florida crew, observe this week “might be very, very intense.”
“Difficult ourselves to concentrate to the little issues is gonna assist us,” Ford mentioned.
How do you put together in opposition to Florida?
The No. 3 Gators (23-1) are one of many extra dominant groups within the SEC, averaging 9 runs per recreation and 16 video games had been lower brief due to the mercy rule. Their greatest margin of victory was a 24-3 victory over Iowa State.
“You might be gonna need to make high quality pitches, quite a bit. You might be gonna have to alter speeds and make pitches in all 4 quadrants, which I believe we’ve not achieved but,” Ford mentioned.
On the flip facet, Texas A&M has an on-base share of .411 and doesn’t usually swing at dangerous pitches. If the Aggies can maintain the sport shut or just get runners on base with selfless at bats, they’ve an opportunity to win.
Texas A&M and Florida first play at 7 p.m. Friday at Davis Diamond.
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This text initially appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M softball prepares for weekend sequence in opposition to Florida
