Week 3 in the polls 👍#GigEm pic.twitter.com/MPaUHK2Kup

— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) February 24, 2026

Cole9335 said:

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BiochemAg97 said:

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Cole9335 said:

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Just watched Ford's pre-tournament interview and they talked a lot about the struggles this weekend. I couldn't help but notice she kept giving excuses….. "the field was rough" "we were tired" "we're just still learning"

I remember distinctly her saying that year 3 of her program and culture is when she expects high level ball clubs. When did the staff abandon this mentality??

I honestly am surprised she isn't being more tough and adamant that we should have been better. We have tons of talent. Our opponents played on the same field. Maybe I was wrong about my impression of her as a coach, but post-run rule should feel like a different vibe from lack of urgency I got from her

Just to clarify- I still believe she's a great coach but the attitude towards the program definitely affects the girls. An angry coach after a loss is one that believes in their team, and the fact that they should have executed full stop.

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Everyone talks about moving on and focusing on the current game/pitch/hit. Not sure a coach being "angry" about the games 2 days later fits that and instead sets a poor example for the team on being in the moment and not in your head about the last outcome. At this point it should be about what can we learn from and improve on.

There are a few things that are just reality. They have played 2 away invitationals against some big teams. They have barely been home. Probably got home from Florida late Sunday or early Monday and then back out on the road on Wednesday. Trish said they haven't had any bullpen for 10 days. Being tired is part of that, but that also prepares the team for what is coming.

For perspective, volleyball lost to SMU and TCU at the tail end of a long road stretch. Morrison also talked about them being tired. But that struggle was part of what prepared them to win the natty. Was it an excuse or an acknowledgement of the adversity.

I agree, complaining about the field is a little weak, as both teams play on the same field. Maybe that impacts the decision to play in the mary nutter again, or at least some prep on a rough surface beforehand.

Also, she acknowledged earlier that last year's result was partially because she relied too heavily on Kennedy throughout the season and said she was going to get more pitchers game experience. Sure, it is easy to play your bullpen when you are about to run rule a team, but that really isn't a pressure situation. Really need to figure out how your pitchers handle quality batters and bounce back from giving up a hit or HR. From the interview, sounded like she is still figuring out the pitching rotation.

Also, keep in mind, she is talking to the fans not the players. You have no idea what she is going to say to the team this week regarding fixing the mistakes and recovering from adversity.


Just to be clear, I get what you are saying and don't really disagree with your concerns. It is still early in the season and Trish and the team has time to fix things and get to the high level ball, but that time is quickly running out.

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Not anger, but passion is what I really meant. I love a fiery coach and I think us fans need to see some of that too from the leader of our program. We could be SO good and compete with anyone if they just kick it into gear and believe in themselves

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frankie00 said:

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I am looking at a few more transfers from last Summer's portal. Several are from small schools. One name on the list is:

P/INF - Maddi Rutan, Eastern Kentucky, to Tenn

She has pitched only 6.1 innings so far. ERA of 1.11, 5 hits and 1 run. But I then looked at the rest of the pitching staff. Includes Pickens, of course, the national velocity record holder (79.4 mph !!!). And Mardjetko. But an outstanding Sophomore - Erin Nuwer, currently with 24.0 IP and an ERA of 0.00. ZERO runs scored against her, earned or unearned, in 24.0 innings. Given up only 3 hits. In 24.0 innings! Outstanding stats.

These three pitchers have gotten most of the innings. ALL were TN recruits. No transfers. Check out their awesome stats here:

https://utsports.com/sports/softball/stats/2026

WOW !!

Now, click on 'schedule' and check it out. TN is 14-0 overall. No home games yet. Nine shutouts. No team has scored more than one run against them. Six Top 25 teams, including Oregon, Nebraska, UCLA and Florida State. Their Sophomore, Erin Nuwer, was on the mound when they shut out UCLA, beating them 11-0 in five innings. She gave up only ONE hit in that game. The same UCLA team that scored 15 against us in five innings.

At this point in time, I would rather face Tech, OU or the sips before TN !! And glad they are not on our regular season schedule this year!

But what I like, what I pointed out above, is that their three top pitchers all signed with TN out of high school. Clearly their staff has an eye for talent AND knows how to develop it properly. The OU staff has been really good at this for years at all positions but, gosh, TN has exceeded even them with their pitchers. I do not think anyone is a fan of TN's head coach but her pitching coach is doing an outstanding job.

We have three Gatorade player of the year on our pitching staff. One won it twice ... but she has not pitched a single inning as an Aggie (Taylor Brown) . All came in as Freshmen. Hopefully they will improve and gain some consistency.

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cevans_40 said:

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Finally got a minute to watch some games. I don't know if the radar was running hot but Peters throwing 69 is a game changer if its legit. If she can continue this type of velocity, she can be a true ace with all the spin she has on her secondary stuff. This is the most promising thing I have seen on the year. Oh and AK behind the dish.

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frankie00 said:

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cevans_40 said:

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Finally got a minute to watch some games. I don't know if the radar was running hot but Peters throwing 69 is a game changer if its legit. If she can continue this type of velocity, she can be a true ace with all the spin she has on her secondary stuff. This is the most promising thing I have seen on the year. Oh and AK behind the dish.

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Agree.

I noticed the 69 speed, too, and thought that's great.

I recall us talking about Ariel (aka AK) moving to C before the season started. A pic was published with her in catcher gear with the other three catchers. And Coach talked about it. I thought it might happen. But it did not ... until yesterday. I am sure she has practiced at the position but might take several live games to get comfortable. I am all for it !!

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frankie00 said:

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cevans_40 said:

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Finally got a minute to watch some games. I don't know if the radar was running hot but Peters throwing 69 is a game changer if its legit. If she can continue this type of velocity, she can be a true ace with all the spin she has on her secondary stuff. This is the most promising thing I have seen on the year. Oh and AK behind the dish.

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Agree.

I noticed the 69 speed, too, and thought that's great.

I recall us talking about Ariel (aka AK) moving to C before the season started. A pic was published with her in catcher gear with the other three catchers. And Coach talked about it. I thought it might happen. But it did not ... until yesterday. I am sure she has practiced at the position but might take several live games to get comfortable. I am all for it !!

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frankie00 said:

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Coach talked in the press conference after today's game about Harger pushing for Ariel (aka AK) to move behind the plate full time and Heff pushing for Kelsey. I recall last year after Kelsey began starting games and doing really well she said the same thing - that he had been pushing for her to start for awhile and a lot of it was that he said she was hitting really well in practice.

Also said that Ariel (aka AK) now considered the starting C but the others will still get some time.

Interesting that a 3B converted to OF and now to starting C with three catchers on the roster. Whatever it takes !!

And Kelsey's reply today was the 3 RBI bomb and 4 RBI total !!

Press release on the game ...

https://12thman.com/news/2026/3/1/softball-no-15-texas-am-downs-louisiana-5-1

From the release:

"Mathis matched her career-high with four RBI. It marked her second four-RBI game of the season."

I have mentioned recently that we are not giving away free bases like we have in the past. This from the release:

"Lessentine has not issued more than one walk in a game through 11 appearances and nine starts this season. The Aggie pitching staff recorded its 13th game allowing one walk or fewer."

A really, really good sign.

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TexAg79 said:

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I like the fact that moving AK to catcher gets Kelsey's bat in the game. That could be a game changer. I hadn't thought about Maddie at first but that could make a lot of sense in the future.

And a fun fact that absolutely no one cares about but me, AK went to the same high school as my son, although a couple of decades apart!

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