Wildcats in must-win situation at home

ACU hosts Eastern New Mexico in huge four-game set

For immediate release 11 April 2002

ABILENE -- The ACU softball team will close out its home season this weekend when it hosts Eastern New Mexico in a four-game series that is key to both the Wildcats and Zias in their pursuit of a berth in the Lone Star Conference post-season tournament.

Poor weather has played havoc with the entire LSC South Division schedule, and even at 1-5 with eight LSC games to play, the Wildcats can't be considered out of the race to grab one of the three LSC South Division spots in the tournament.

However, if they are to do just that, the Wildcats probably need to win out, and that means sweeping the team that finished fifth at last year's NCAA Division II national tournament.

The Zias, however, haven't been experiencing that kind of success this season and will bring a 22-19 overall mark and 4-8 LSC ledger into this weekend's series.

The Zias are led by Rachel Mohler, who is hitting .391 with three home runs and 24 RBI. Maegan Rhoten is the top power source on the team with six home runs and a team-best 40 RBI to go along with a .270 batting average.

The Zias' pitching staff is led by Lauren King (10-6, 2.81 ERA) and Rhoten (9-6, 3.65 ERA).

ACU is led offensively by shortstop Misty Pryer, who is hitting .463, the second-best mark in the league. Freshman Katie Bryan leads the team in RBI with 25 to go along with a .284 batting average.

Junior Maurine McWilliams (7-14, 6.05 ERA) leads the pitching staff.

Schedule