Aggies Sneak Past Tide, Alabama Softball Falls to Texas A&M 3-2

In a tightly contested series opener between two top-10 teams, the No. 9 ranked Texas A&M Aggies, downed No. 4 Alabama, 3-2, Friday night at the Aggie Softball Complex. After the day, the Crimson Tide moves to 30-5 overall and 6-4 in Southeastern Conference play.

Texas A&M pitcher Mel Dumezich helped her own cause by hitting what turned out to be the game-winning home run, a two-run home run with two outs in the sixth inning. Dumezich (19-3) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six in the circle.

Junior Jackie Traina (14-3) was tagged with the loss. The All-American allowed three runs on four hits while striking out eight.

After Texas A&M started the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the second, Alabama answered with a home run of its own in the fourth inning. Junior Kaila Hunt smashed a solo shot over the wall in left-center to tie the game at one. The homer was her ninth on the season.

Alabama tacked on another run in the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Freshman Haylie McCleney grounded home fellow freshman Leona Lafaele. Lafaele led off the inning with a single to right.

Tide senior Kayla Braud preserved the lead in the bottom half of the inning as she scaled the tall wall in left to take away a home run.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow in game two of the series. First pitch is schedule for 4 p.m. CT.  You can hear the game on your flagship station for Alabama softball, 99.1 WDGM in Tuscaloosa or worldwide on 991wdgm.com and Radio Pup application for Androids and Iphones.