No one could see the gears turning in KK Dement’s head when she stood in the box last month, waiting for a pitch against LSU right-hander Sydney Berzon. But they were spinning, nonethelss.
Dement had already grounded out, and with runners in scoring position and zero runs on the board, she had a chance to put the Aggies ahead in the fourth inning. The first pitch was an inside strike.
But she wasn’t fooled on the next one and blasted a home run to left field.
That’s the dangerous thing about No. 1-ranked Texas A&M softball: big plays don’t always have to come from the biggest stars.
“Just trusting the process, being patient and knowing my time will come and just putting in the work,” said Dement, who’s hitting .316 with 48 hits and 58 RBIs — the third-most on the team.
She’s been a key cog in an offense for Texas A&M (45-9, 16-7) that’s ranked 18th in the country in batting average and 15th in total runs.
Other Dement highlights include a grand slam against Georgia and a powerful home run against Tennessee. The Selma, Ca. native shows notable maturity for a college freshman softball player. When breaking down her LSU home run, Dement explained her thought process to reporters.
“I think it was just understanding that a lot of her strikes are inside, and knowing where the runners at, I think, first and second, knowing to get the ball elevated. So just having that mindset going on the box,” she said.
Head coach Trisha Ford was in the room for the response.
“That’s a freshman, saying that,” Ford whispered to media members.
Dement and other freshmen have been impressed in one of the Aggies’ best seasons in the SEC since joining in 2012. They were named co-SEC tournament champions with Oklahoma, the first conference title for the Aggies since 2008 from their days in the Big 12. It was also the first time since 2008 that A&M was named the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament; the Aggies were national runners-up that year.
First-year players bring Ford added depth
Sure, the Aggies can rely on senior left-hander Emiley Kennedy (21-4, 2.68 ERA) in the circle. Sluggers Mac Barbara and Mya Perez have combined 24 home runs and 60 RBIs on the season. But freshmen have also carried a part of the Aggies’ load this season.
Now in a reserve role, freshman Frankie Vrazel still gets in on the action.
Vrazel started in right field with highly experienced seniors Kramer Eschete and Allie Enright. Like Eschete did in the season opener against Utah State, the freshman also knows how to put her body on the line to make a play. Even though she is in a reserve role, she has 47 catches and 46 punch-outs, a perfect field percentage.
“Frankie is special … she just goes in there and she’s like, ‘It’s time for me to do my job. What do you need me to do, I’m gonna do it,'” Ford said April 27 after the Arkansas win.
The Aggies already lost the series to Arkansas, but they needed to win Sunday to avoid a sweep. With pitchers locked and dealing, Vrazel rounded out the Aggies’ batting order with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to strike first.
“She gets her opportunities and she makes the most of it… she is a jack of all trades,” Ford said.
A new face takes off late in the season
As Vrazel’s role has changed, fellow freshman Kelsey Mathis has taken over right field.
Against Tennessee, in a series-deciding game three, Mathis notched her first career start for the Aggies, and in her first at-bat, hit a home run on a 3-1 pitch. Even with the game rescheduled to the next day due to rain, Mathis stayed hot to extend the Aggies’ lead 10-2 with an RBI single to score shortstop Koko Wooley.
“I told myself to relax. Just understanding this is my moment to prove myself, that I have been working for this spot… I came through and it makes myself proud,” Mathis said.
Mathis started in a bench role this season, but moved to right field in the final weeks of the season and is hitting .500 with eight hits and four RBIs on 16 at-bats.
The Aggies are preparing to start the NCAA tournament as the No. 1 seed and open Friday afternoon against Saint Francis.
They will likely need the defense of Mathis and Vrazel to continue their season. Dement, a young hitter wise beyond her years, should be a key piece in the offense.
“I think about what that is going to look like by her senior year. That’s what I am really excited about,” Ford said.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M softball: 3 freshmen who could help Aggies in NCAA Tournament
Reporting by Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
