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Senior pitcher Megan Gibson celebrates after a pitch during Saturday's game against Kansas. Gibson pitched a no-hitter and the Aggies won 14-0

Gibson grabs no-hitter in sweep of Jayhawks

Aggies rack up 22 runs, stay atop Big 12 standings

By: Jack Molitor

Posted: 4/21/08

The No. 4 Texas A&M softball team sent its seniors out in style Sunday. The Aggies rebounded from their first Big 12 loss Wednesday in dominating fashion, blowing out the Kansas Jayhawks in a two-game series over the weekend. Both games were shortened on the eight-run rule, with A&M winning game one Saturday 14-0 and game two Sunday 8-0.

"I thought [pitcher Megan] Gibson looked really good," said A&M Head Coach Jo Evans. "I'm especially happy for her because she struggled a little the other night against Oklahoma State. She could have come in here looking over her shoulder, but instead she came out relaxed and really settled in. Her performance today was really good for our team."

Gibson, one of five seniors honored by Evans after Sunday's game, shut out the Jayhawks in the series, pitching a total of 11 innings, striking out 17 and allowing only two hits over the two games. Gibson pitched a five inning no-hitter in the Saturday game.

"I wasn't really thinking about having a no-hitter going," Gibson said. "I was just relaxed the whole time, throwing my game and trying to keep their hitters off balance."

Gibson was dangerous at the plate as well, starting the scoring Sunday with a 2-run blast in the first inning, her 12th homer of the season. Gibson was kept off the base paths in only one at-bat over the weekend, and she drove in 7 runs.

Fellow senior Jamie Hinshaw helped pace the offense, going 4-for-7 with an RBI double over the weekend. Senior Jami Lobpries took two walks, drove in two runs and scored a run of her own Saturday.

Kansas, ranked No. 3 in the Big 12 in team-earned run average, was hit hard by the Aggies. Kansas pitcher Valerie George absorbed both losses and allowed 12 earned runs over the weekend. The offensive performance was nearly as dismal, with three Jayhawks reaching base over the two games.

"It was critical that we came out really aggressive and with a lot of confidence," Evans said. "Kansas is not a bad ball club, and we hit them. They have a good team ERA and we did not have any problem with their pitching. That tells me that our kids have a lot of confidence."

After the game, Evans praised Hinshaw, Gibson and Lobpries for their contributions to the program over four years. Amanda Scarborough, who has missed most of the season with an injury, and student manager Jessica Kaiser were also recognized.

The two victories kept A&M at the top of the Big 12 standings with a 13-1 conference record and 42-7 overall. The Aggies have two home games remaining before the Big 12 Tournament, the next being Wednesday against Texas State. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m.