Texas A&M celebrates a perfect game by pitcher Kate Munnerlyn (88) against Kennesaw State in the Texas A&M Invitational at Davis Diamond on Friday, February. 27, 2026 in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M celebrates a perfect game by pitcher Kate Munnerlyn (88) against Kennesaw State in the Texas A&M Invitational at Davis Diamond on Friday, February. 27, 2026 in College Station, Texas.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Texas A&M softball depended on left-handed pitcher Emiley Kennedy a lot last season. 

Head coach Trisha Ford knows the All-American shouldered a big load. Depending on the senior to force a decisive Game 3 in the regional against Liberty, the lefty’s experience didn’t stop the Aggies from coming up short. 

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“I think we can all agree that we wish we had a little bit more arms with experience last year,” she said in February. Heading into an important March series against rival Texas softball, A&M does have some reinforcements, even if Kennedy is gone.

Ford beefed up her staff by adding senior transfer Taylor Pannell. Grace Sparks, another senior, one of four holdovers from last season. Yes, the Aggies lost Kennedy, among the program’s all-time leader in strikeouts, to professional softball but there’s reason for optimism. With a stronger staff, Ford has been using more pitchers in 2026 to make sure they are ready for the postseason and used the nonconference schedule to prepare the Aggies and the pitching staff.  

“There was a lot of growth, especially within the pitching staff,” Sidne Peters said Wednesday to the American-Statesman. 

Texas A&M pitcher Sydney Lessentine (7) throws a pitch during the NCAA D1 Softball Tournament Regional against Saint Francis University at Davis Diamond at Texas A&M University on Friday, May 16, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M pitcher Sydney Lessentine (7) throws a pitch during the NCAA D1 Softball Tournament Regional against Saint Francis University at Davis Diamond at Texas A&M University on Friday, May 16, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

Aaron E. Martinez / American Statesman

Sophomore right-hander Sydney Lessentine (9-2) continues to dominate in the circle like she did against Kentucky. Sophomore lefty Kate Munnerlyn (2-3) sometimes starts but can control the zone in relief, like she did against LSU. Junior Sidne Peters (9-3) has impressed early in her various starts after missing most of last season due to an injury. 

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“I think the biggest thing with our group is we are young, so we do rely on each other,” Lessentine said. “I think we have a lot of people stepping up right now.” 

MORE AGGIES: One year later, Texas A&M’s future looks bright under Bucky McMillan

No sophomore slump

Lessentine appeared in just 21 games last year; she’s already throw in about 20 games this season. Through 66â…“ innings pitched in 2025, the New Mexico native had 79 strikeouts and gave up 43 hits and 27 earned runs. 

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Coming into Friday, she leads the Aggies pitching staff in ERA (2.42) and opposing batting average (.196). But one of the areas she’s improved on is minimizing walks. Lessentine walked 29 in 2025 but in 2026 she has walked seven through 72 innings pitched.  

While she likes to start, Ford has been using her in relief. 

“I think I like being the one to go in there and end it and ‘stop the bleeding'” she said. 

Texas A&M pitcher Kate Munnerlyn (88) throws a pitch during the game against LSU at Davis Diamond on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M pitcher Kate Munnerlyn (88) throws a pitch during the game against LSU at Davis Diamond on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman

Munnerlyn, only appeared in 13 games last season but her strongest showing in 2025 might have been in her most important appearance. Munnerlyn relieved Peters after Liberty put up a 6-0 lead in the second inning of Game 2 in the 2025 College Station Regional.

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“I knew I had a job to do and if I didn’t, it would’ve been a bummer,” Munnderlyn toldt he Statesman. 

The Californian only had one strikeout and walked four, but she minimized the Flames’ momentum and gave A&M’s batters time to settle in with 11 runs. Lessentine relieved her teammate to force Game 3 with the 14-11 win. 

With 23 strikeouts in 23⅓ innings, expect Munnderlyn to be sprinkled into the rotation. Munnerlyn looked up to Kennedy last season because they are both leftie that Ford could use against lefty batters.  

“(Kennedy’s) power, her dominance that is what I really strive for,” Munnerlyn said. 

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MORE AGGIES: Texas A&M softball: Aggies clinch SEC home opening series with 7-1 win

Learning from each other

Along with being the head coach, Ford also serves the role of the Aggies’ pitching coach. Her background of coaching includes stops at Arizona State and she was recently named a part of the U.S. Women’s National Team coaching pool. But even with Ford pushing her team to reach its full potential, the players still learn from one another. 

During practice Munnerlyn will watch Pannell because both love throwing changeups. Munnerlyn will observe and if her pitch isn’t where it’s supposed to be, she will talk to the Missouri transfer about it. 

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“It’s really interesting to see how she throws it,” Munnerlyn said. 

Lessentine has become one of Ford’s more reliable pitchers as the season has gone on throwing 60 strikeouts and leading the team in innings pitcher. Ford in February talked about how excited she was to see Lessentine take the next step at A&M. 

“It’s time to grow up and take the role of, potentially being the ace out there, and leading everyone on the team, and holding the standard,” Lessentine said Wednesday.  

Texas A&M pitcher Sidne Peters (2) throws a pitch during the NCAA D1 Softball Tournament Regional against Saint Francis University at Davis Diamond at Texas A&M University on Friday, May 16, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M pitcher Sidne Peters (2) throws a pitch during the NCAA D1 Softball Tournament Regional against Saint Francis University at Davis Diamond at Texas A&M University on Friday, May 16, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

Aaron E. Martinez / American Statesman

Peters returns to the rotation this year after an injury to her lower back. Through 66 innings, she has thrown 75 strikeouts and given up 10 home runs; she threw a season high 10 strikeouts against Utah State. 

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While rehabbing and getting stronger, Peters will often work on spot work and changing her release point during practice. But even though Peters said “she always had good stuff” one of the things she is learning from her teammates is how to be more confident as she battles some Imposter Syndrome. 

“This year, my mind set has shifted into, ‘well, I can be one of the best pitchers on the team to help them get to Oklahoma City,” she said.  

Lone Star Showdown softball returns

Texas softball and Texas A&M only played each other once last year, in the SEC Tournament when the Aggies run-ruled the Longhorns 14-2.

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The regular- season rivalry series couldn’t begin during the Longhorns’ first year in the SEC but it begins in Austin this weekend at McCombs Field where the Longhorns have a staff just as strong.

Ace Teagan Kavan is flanked by pitchers Citlaly Gutierrez, Cambria Salmon and Hannah Wells. While both teams can pour on the runs, the circle will probably decide the game. 

“It’s great to play our rival team and hopefully we beat them like we did last year,” Munnerlyn said. 

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Game one in the series begins at 6 p.m. Friday at McCombs Field.Â