MACON, Ga. – The Aggies started the second day of the Heart of Georgia Classic tournament hosted by Mercer University with a 7-6 win over the University of Evansville Purple Aces in a nine-inning showdown. The Aggies lost their second game of the day, 10-2 in five innings to the Maine Black Bears.
A day after Tya Robinson hit a three-run homer against Maine in the late innings to lead A&T to victory, junior Destiny Sims came through for the Aggies with a walk-off RBI double to lead the Aggies to the win. Sims had two RBIs, two runs scored, and went 3-for-8 on the day. Junior Shandi Brown also delivered for A&T against the Purple Aces.
Brown went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs, including the game-tying RBI single in the ninth inning. The ninth inning started with Evansville at bat with the game tied 5-5.
Aces pinch runner Addyson Leonard was placed on second because of the extra innings softball rule. Maliyah Wilkins singled to second base, advancing Leonard to third. Leonard scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Morgan Adams to give the Aces a 6-5 lead. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Lauren Hardy (W, 1-0) limited the damage by striking out Niki Bode and getting Callie Meinel to groundout to end the inning.
A&T started its response by placing junior Tia Glover on second. Freshman Tia Montgomery advanced Glover to third on a sacrifice bunt. But junior Bria Finley fouled out, putting the Aggies one out away from losing the game. That didn't happen.
Brown followed with her game-tying RBI single to left field, bringing Glover home to score and tying the game 6-6. Brown stole second to set up Sims's heroics as she doubled to center field to bring in the game-winning run.
Junior RHP Aaliyah Williams started for the Aggies during the morning game versus Evansville. She pitched six innings, recorded four strikeouts, gave up six hits and three runs, with only one run earned. Sims was 2-for-5 in the game with two RBIs and a double. Sophomore Tyra Robinson homered for the second straight day.
Evansville's Kate Ridgway pitched the first five innings and recorded seven strikeouts, allowing three runs and five hits. Gracie Hollingsworth (L, 0-1) gave up the game-winning double.
In the afternoon game against Maine, Junior Jamari Moss went 2-for-2 and recorded two RBIs, including an RBI double in the third inning. Junior Devin Long started the game for the Aggies and pitched two innings. Freshman Maliyah Anderson (L, 0-1) pitched the remaining 2.2 innings of the game. Alysen Rieth (W, 1-0) went five innings for the Black Bears, striking out two and giving up one earned run. Maine's Alli Goetz went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Madison Hand went 1-for-2 with three RBIs.
A&T will conclude its time at the Heart of Georgia Classic with a 12:30 p.m. game against tournament Mercer on Sunday. The Aggies will play their home opener on Wednesday, February 11, in a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Western Carolina at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex.
