College Station, Texas ? An eight-run Texas A&M sixth inning doomed the Kansas University softball team in a 12-4 loss on Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

Kansas dropped to 14-16 overall, while Texas A&M improved to 28-7.

Kansas senior Amanda Jobe hit her second home run of the season in the top of the fourth inning.

KU sophomore Marissa Ingle hit a two-out, solo home run — her third of the year — in the fifth to knot the score at 4.

Of Texas A&M’s 12 runs, six were unearned.

Kansas starting pitcher Allie Clark tossed the first 21/3 innings and tied a season-high with five strikeouts before a line drive up the middle hit her in the head. Although Clark wasn’t hurt, senior Sarah Vertelka came in to relieve Clark. Vertelka suffered the loss and fell to 5-10.

The Jayhawks and Aggies will wrap up the series with an 11 a.m. contest today.