College Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY— Texas A&M returns to the NCAA Women’s College World Series today against Virginia Tech at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

The winner will advance to play the winner of top-seeded Florida and Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday at 6 p.m. The loser will face the loser of the Florida and ULL game on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Thursday’s match-up will mark the first-ever meeting between the Aggies and Hokies.

Virginia Tech (49-17) posted back-to-back victories over Michigan in the Ann Arbor Regional on Sunday to earn its first trip to the WCWS.

A&M (54-7), behind the strong arm of Megan Gibson and hot-hitting Aggie bats, defeated Stanford twice to clinch its second-consecutive trip to the WCWS, including seventh overall.

Gibson registered two victories, working 14 complete innings in the circle, fanning 11 Stanford hitters and walking five. The two-time All-American has recorded double-digit strikeouts in 14 games this season, including four of her last five outings.

The Aggies have been led by the arm of Gibson and the offensive production of Jamie Hinshaw. On Wednesday, both were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America team.

The duo led the Aggies to their best-ever finish in conference play (17-1) and have helped lead A&M to the second-most wins in a season (54).

Gibson was selected to the first team as a utility/pitcher, marking the third time she has been honored as an All-American and the second as a member of the first team. Hinshaw earned her first career All-American honor as an at-large selection to the third team.

Heading into the Women’s College World Series this weekend, Gibson boasts an impressive 38-1 record and 0.98 ERA in the circle for the Aggies. In 264 innings of work, Gibson has fanned 315 hitters, averaging eight strikeouts per game.

Hinshaw has started every game of her Aggie career, with all but one start coming at third base. The All-Big 12 first team selection leads the team in runs scored (47) and hits (66). She ranks second in doubles (12) and RBIs (33).

Courtesy of aggieathletics.com

TEXAS A&M’s Megan Gibson smiles as she listens to a question at a news conference for the Women’s College World Series softball tournament.
(AP Photo)