Texas A&M softball put on an absolute show Friday to kick off the NCAA Tournament, delivering a second inning that fans won't soon forget. The Aggies erupted for a record-breaking 13 runs in a single frame, turning their College Station Regional opener against UConn into a 17-3 rout that felt more like batting practice than a postseason game.
The fireworks started in the bottom of the second, and once they got going, there was no stopping them. Nineteen batters stepped to the plate over a 40-minute stretch that saw the Aggies cycle through their lineup twice—and then some. Ten of those 13 runs came with two outs, proving that in softball, no lead is safe and no inning is ever truly over.
The highlight reel moment came when Ariel Kowalewski crushed a grand slam, sending the crowd into a frenzy and forcing UConn to make yet another pitching change. But the Aggies weren't done. Kelsey Mathis followed with a solo home run during her second at-bat of the inning, and KK Dement matched her with a blast of her own. Three straight homers—including a grand slam—turned a tight game into a laugher.
"We're going to run out of bubbles, folks!" the Aggies' social media team posted, referencing the team's beloved tradition of blowing bubbles for every home run. Given the offensive explosion, they might need to stock up.
The 13-run inning set a new Texas A&M program record and ranks as the second-most runs in a single inning in NCAA softball regional history. It started innocently enough, with the first five batters reaching base. A few passed balls helped the Aggies jump out to a 3-0 lead, and after a couple of outs, it looked like UConn might escape. But then the floodgates opened.
In football terms, the Aggies scored a touchdown, an extra point, and a field goal—all in one inning. UConn cycled through four pitchers trying to stop the bleeding, but none could quiet the Texas A&M bats. By the time Jess Walter finally struck out Micaela Wark—who was batting for the third time in the inning—the damage was done.
For the Aggies (37-17), this was the perfect way to start their postseason run. For fans watching at home, it was a reminder that in softball, one inning can change everything. And for anyone looking to channel that same energy, a fresh pair of cleats and a good bat might be just what you need to find your own grand slam moment.