CLEARWATER, Fla. – No. 5 Texas A&M exploded for a six-run sixth inning to route Wichita State, 9-1, to open the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational Thursday night.

Texas A&M (7-0) jumped on Wichita State (5-2) early as Koko Wooley led off with a single and stole second before Mac Barbara and Mya Perez strung together back-to-back singles to put the Aggies up 2-0 in the opening frame.

KK Dement led off the second inning with a first pitch solo jack to add to the lead, before the Shockers scratched the board with a double in the fourth as Texas A&M carried a 3-1 lead to the fifth.

After two scoreless innings, the Aggies batted around and exploded for six runs on five hits, including a bases-clearing double by Mya Perez as the Aggies took a commanding 9-1 lead to the bottom of the seventh.

Freshman Sydney Lessentine started the game going 4.0 innings and striking out three, while allowing three hits and one run to earn her second win of the season. Senior Emiley Kennedy earned her first save of the season after finishing the game with 3.0 innings pitched and punching out four batters, while yielding only one hit.

Texas A&M is set to play UCF on Friday at 10 a.m. on ESPN+ with Mark Neely (play-by-play) and Danielle Lawrie (analyst) on the call.