GAINESVILLE – The No. 8 Texas A&M softball team is slated for a top 10 SEC bout against No. 9 Florida beginning Friday at 6 p.m. at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
 
Friday's game can be streamed on SECN+ with Kyle Crooks (play-by-play) and Aleshia Ocasio (analyst) on call. Saturday's game airs on SEC Network and Sunday's series finale on ESPN2 with both nationally televised games featuring Amanda Scarborough (analyst) and Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) on the call.
 
NATIONAL OUTLOOK
Texas A&M (39-9, 15-6 SEC) is a consensus top 10 team for the first time this season ranking No. 4 in Softball America, No. 8 in the NFCA and ESPN polls and No. 10 in the D1 Softball rankings. It marks the highest ranking in the NFCA and ESPN polls since March 20, 2018, when the Aggies were No. 8 in both. The Aggies rank No. 12 in RPI and are third in the nation with 20 top 50 RPI wins, while playing the nation's 20th toughest strength of schedule. Statistically, the Aggies rank top 20 in the nation in numerous categories, including No. 10 in scoring (6.65) and No. 11 in on-base percentage (.415), while the pitching is No. 15 in shutouts (13) and No. 18 in ERA (2.18). Individually, Emiley Kennedy is third in the nation in shutouts (8), eighth in complete games (19), 12th in wins (20) and 25th in strikeouts (165). Offensively, Jazmine Hill is 16th in walks per game (.79) and 32nd in on-base percentage (.512).
 
FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS
Trinity Cannon is firing on all cylinders heading into the final regular season weekend. In the last 10 games, Cannon is hitting .480 at the plate with 16 RBI, while registering an astonishing 1.514 OPS, including a .920 slugging percentage with three home runs and two doubles. The four-year starter has improved her batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and OPS each season of her career, while setting career-highs this year in home runs (13) and RBI (50).
 
IT STARTS AND ENDS IN THE CIRCLE
The Texas A&M pitching staff has reaped the benefits of head coach Trisha Ford's mentoring as the group boasts a 2.18 ERA and a 1.126 WHIP, while holding opposing batters to a .193 batting average. Kennedy has showcased her versatility as a pitcher to start and finish games, whether that's from beginning to end or being called on from the pen. The junior has registered 19 complete games in 22 starts, while earning five saves. She boasts a 1.005 WHIP, while batters are averaging .170 against her at the plate. Kennedy was recently named a USA Softball Player of the Year top 26 finalist.