ABILENE – The ACU Wildcats return to the Pitt State Classic this weekend where they finished 1-3 last year. However, ACU enters this year's tournament red hot with wins in 24 of its last 29 matches dating back to the last 13 matches of the 2008 season.
ACU will take on Central Missouri and Missouri Southern on Friday before facing Newman (Kan.) and Pittsburg State on Saturday. The Wildcats knocked off the then-17th-ranked Gorillas, 3-1, earlier this year in Abilene at the ACU Invitational at Moody Coliseum. The Gorillas enter this weekend's tournament ranked No. 21 in the nation.
Both of ACU's Friday opponents are coming off of wins against nationally ranked opponents. Central Missouri beat ninth-ranked Washburn last week, while Missouri Southern took down No. 20 Truman State. The Jennies of Central Missouri enter the weekend ranked No. 5 in the nation with a 15-3 record on the season. The Lions of Missouri Southern are 7-6 entering the tournament.
Newman is 4-10 heading into the tournament after a loss to Rockhurst on Tuesday. The Gorillas and Wildcats will round out the tournament Saturday night as they will battle in a rematch from earlier this season, except this time Pitt State will be the host. Pittsburg State has won nine of 11 since the ACU loss, including a win over then-No. 8 Central Missouri. The Gorillas are 12-5 on the season and are ranked No. 21 in the nation.
