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A&M softball team splits pair

Aggies beat Massachusetts 3-2 but fall to Florida Atlantic 4-0

Special to The Eagle

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Florida Atlantic University senior Jen Musillo threw a complete game one-hitter with a career-high 15 strikeouts to snap the third-ranked Texas A&M softball team's 11-game winning streak, beating the Aggies 4-0 on Saturday night at the FAU Softball Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla.

The loss drops A&M to 24-3 while FAU improves to 17-11 with the victory.

"This game was really frustrating for us," A&M head coach Jo Evans said. "I thought we had a really poor approach at the plate. Of all the games we've played, this was really a game where we just couldn't settle in at the plate. We were very undisciplined, which is uncharacteristic of our team. I'd like to see us more aggressive when we get pitches to hit. We chased way too many pitches tonight that were out of the strike zone."

In the early game, Sharonda McDonald slapped a single into left field in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Aggies a 3-2 victory over Massachusetts (10-10-1).

Against FAU, Owl right fielder Becky Brandies blasted a two-out, bases-loaded triple to right-center field to give FAU a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning.

McDonald had the only hit of the game for the Aggies when she led off the sixth inning with a bunt single. The bunt extended McDonald's hitting streak to 13 games.

A&M managed to move only three runners into scoring position against FAU.

Gibson started the game on the mound for A&M and was lifted for freshman reliever Emily Shadow after Brandies' three-run triple. Gibson suffered her first loss of the season, moving to 9-1 in the circle. She gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out three. Shadow worked the remaining 2 1/3 innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits with two strikeouts.

A&M's Amanda Scarborough (11-2) threw a complete game four-hitter against UMass, marking her longest outing as an Aggie. She fanned nine batters while allowing just two runs and no walks.

The Aggies will face FAU for a rematch in Sunday's championship game. First pitch is set for noon.