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Aggies win 7-0 in series finale

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Sharonda McDonald went 4 for 4 at the plate and Amanda Scarborough threw her seventh shutout of the season as the fifth-ranked Texas A&M softball (37-7, 10-4 Big 12) beat Missouri (33-19, 9-2) 7-0 on Sunday.

"It was nice to see us step up. Our kids did a nice job of staying focused and confident and taking charge of this game," A&M head coach Jo Evans said. "I thought Sharonda was great. She was on all day and scored a couple of runs for us."

The Aggies struck early in the second inning with a two-out, solo shot, opposite field by Alex Reynolds, giving A&M a 1-0 lead. It was the third home run of the season by the freshman.

A five-run fifth inning solidified the win for the Aggies. Jamie Hinshaw started the frame by drawing a walk on four pitches. Jami Lobpries sacrificed Hinshaw to second and Joy Davis reached on a throwing error, allowing Hinshaw to come around to score. Reynolds logged her second hit of the game, a double down the left field line. Lisa Gorzycki brought Davis home on a fielder's choice. Singles by McDonald and Megan Gibson brought the remaining runners in, giving A&M a 7-0 lead going into the bottom of the inning.

After an Aggie fielding error and a single by Amanda Renth in the seventh, Scarborough dug in and struck out the next three batters to retire the side and earn her 19th win of the season. The junior worked seven innings, giving up just two hits and striking out six. Scarborough has thrown a career-high 30 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

Jen Bruck (16-6) suffered the loss for Missouri, working four innings and giving up seven runs on seven hits. Jana Hainey and Megan Dennis combined for the remaining three innings, allowing just one hit.

Reynolds ended the afternoon going 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI. McDonald's four hits were a career high for the senior center fielder.

The Aggies return home to play 19th-ranked Texas at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.