Like any Aggie, I wanted to see Texas A&M get a national championship before leaving. And to someone who likes everything, it didn't really matter what sport. Realistically, it would be in soccer or softball. The basketball teams had good runs with Aqua Franklin and Acie Law, and the volleyball and baseball teams have made a lot of improvements since my first year. But the women of soccer and softball had the personnel and panache to really get it done.
So after the soccer team made an early exit in the fall, softball was the last chance. And those hopes seemed to be dashed quickly when All-American Amanda Scarborough was put on the shelf early in the season. That coupled with the personnel problems at catcher, the loss of Emily Shadow before the season and the departure of leadoff wonder Sharonda McDonald, I admittedly wrote off the softball team and prepared for the impending end of my college career. Most teams would have been happy with an above .500 record in similar circumstances.
The Aggies dedicated their season to proving people wrong, and they did. Megan Gibson got all the attention, but everyone was part of the run to within a hair's breadth of a national championship. That sounds really sappy, but seriously examining the season makes it clear. They displayed that flair and they won with pitching, defense and heart.
Gibson and seniors Jami Lobpries and Jamie Hinshaw were old reliables. Lobpries took the difficult task of replacing McDonald in center field and made it look easy, Hinshaw established herself as one of the best third basemen in A&M history and Gibson nearly won Collegiate Player of the Year.
Holly Ridley eliminated a question mark in the outfield at the beginning of the year and had an explosion of power with the second-most homers on the team. Macie Morrow had clutch hits and flexed the glove at shortstop. Bailey Schroeder, Mandy Gegen and Andrea Tovar provided speed in pinch-running situations, and Alex Reynolds competed for a starting spot as just a sophomore.
Perhaps the most impressive group was the newcomers. Erin Glasco transferred from Notre Dame and caught as if she had been behind the plate for three years. Natalie Villarreal showed everyone what a left-handed second baseman looks like. Rhiannon Kliesing pitched in the shadow of two of the best players in school history and still shined like a veteran. Without Kelsey Spittler's game-winning triple against Florida in the bracket finals, A&M may not have advanced to the championship.
Even Scarborough, who was lost early, made numerous contributions. She became the de facto pitching coach on a team without one, and was on the dugout railing in every game. She accepted her injury and put the team first.
All of this feel-good gushing will make the softball team feel better, and saying I wanted to see a championship is pretty selfish. But the lessons learned from the softball team are applicable to life. They accepted fate as it was, fought through and were still champions. They won and lost like Aggies, with dignity and class, and they deserve congratulations for being there right until the end.
The season is over, but hey, life goes on, and these players know that best. This squad will always have a special place in A&M lore. Thanks, Aggies.
Be the first to comment on this article!