UConn softball opens NCAA Tournament with lopsided loss to Texas A&M
The UConn softball team lost to Texas A&M, 17-3, in a first-round NCAA Tournament game in a five-inning game shortened by the mercy rule at the College Station Regional in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M (37-17) scored 13 runs in the second inning and had 14 hits, while UConn (31-27) made three errors. Ariel Kowalewski went 2 for 2 with four RBI and a home run for Texas A&M, which will play the winner of Friday’s Arizona State-McNeese game on Saturday.
“Obviously we didn’t show up the way we wanted to today,” UConn coach Laura Valentino said. “We have to be able to pound the zone a little bit better early and not get behind. “But I’m confident this team is going to bounce back.
We’ve done it all year. ” In the second inning, Texas A&M had 19 batters go to the plate against four UConn pitchers, including starter Caprice Bohmer, who took the loss. She gave up six hits, eight runs, two walks and two home runs.
“I thought it was just a tremendous job overall, especially in the batters’ box,” said Texas A&M coach Trish Ford. “We came out and executed our game plan, kept our foot on the gas pedal – that’s what I’m most happy about, our ability to put pressure on them. I think we scored quite a few runs with two outs in that second inning which says a lot about this team and who we are.
” Savannah Ring had a solo home run in the third inning for UConn. UConn, the Big East champion which has had back to back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 2001, will play the loser of Friday’s Arizona State-McNeese Saturday at 5:30 p. m.