If there was any worry about the rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M dying down, the Longhorns and Aggies dispelled any concerns on the softball diamond on Friday when, during the middle of the 6th inning of Game 1 of a Super Regional, a coach from each team was ejected for arguing.
To end the top of the 6th inning — with No. 16 seed Texas A&M leading No. 1 seed Texas, 6-0 — Aggies infielder Kennedy Powell was thrown out at first base but appeared to step on Texas infielder Katie Stewart. Replay showed it was close but that Powell and Stewart made mostly shin-to-shin contact.
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However, Texas assistant coach Steve Singleton didn’t know this, and Texas A&M assistant Russ Heffley took umbrage at Singleton’s annoyance. And as the two got into with each other in the middle of the 6th inning, both were ejected.
And while Singleton was likely fired up to defend his player, if his argument was a ploy to fire his squad up, it might have worked. Texas quickly loaded the bases and brought in freshman Victoria Hunter to pinch hit.
She came up clutch with a two-out grand slam to bring life to McCombs Field and bring the score to a 6-4 margin for the Aggies.
Texas A&M pitcher Emiley Kennedy was cruising early
In Game 1 of what might be the most intense Super Regional of the 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament, No. 16 seed Texas A&M got strong innings from ace pitcher Emiley Kennedy to start vs. No. 1 seed Texas. And both Aggies head coach Trisha Ford and Longhorns head man Mike White discussed how Kennedy has been clipping along.
For White, it was less pleasant as his Longhorns went down 3-0 in the top of the 1st inning and were struggling to break through versus Kennedy. But Texas’ head coach remained hopeful the hits would come.
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“Well we’re getting a bit unlucky,” White said. “We’ve hit some balls really hard. We’ve just gotta continue to do that. She’s a good pitcher so we’ve gotta be patient and get balls in the zone and hit them hard like we’re doing. Just hopefully a couple will fall.”
After White spoke with the ESPN broadcast, Kennedy put the Texas hitters down in order in the bottom of the 4th inning.
As for Ford, she loves getting to work with the ace pitcher.
“Just honestly, she makes me so proud, because I know what’s in her and to be able to see her grow last year and even more this year,” Ford said. “It’s just been fun, honestly.”
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