SAN ANTONIO – After playing three games in less than 24 hours the Wildcat softball team dropped their second game of the season at day two of the St. Mary's College Classic. ACU fell in game one of a pitchers dual, 1-0 to East Central University as the Wildcats record drops to 1-2.
Freshmen pitcher Shelby Hall was outstanding as she was one hit away from a perfect game throwing six innings. However the only hit she allowed was a home run off the left field foul pole to Desiree Nordie which proved to be the difference. Hall a freshmen from Ovilla, Texas, lost her second game in a tough luck outing as was able to change speeds and keep the rest of East Central off the bathes paths. Along with only giving up one hit and walking none Hall struck out three as she faced 19 batters, one over the minimum.
The Wildcats fell behind in the bottom of the first with the home run off the bat of Nordie. It was the only run either team was able to manufacture in the game as Wanda Malone also did her job keeping the Wildcats at bay allowing only seven hits all of which were left stranded.
ACU did however pose a threat in the next inning as they left the bases loaded when Melissa Mendoza popped up to second base. Andi Anti led off the top of the second with a single and moved to second when Candice Miller reached on an error. Anti and Miller both moved into scoring position on a double steal, but could not advance on an infield single by Caitlin Nabors.
The loss dropped Hall to 0-2 on the season after she got the lost working in relief last night against Southeastern Oklahoma. ACU plays Texas A&M-International at 3 p.m. later Saturday in the round robin tournament.
GAME TWO
SAN ANTONIO – The Wildcats moved their record their record to 2-2 as they split the second game on Saturday in day two of the St. Mary's Classic. ACU who lost a pitchers dual to East Central 1-0 in the early game and defeated Texas A&M-International 6-3 in the second game.
The Wildcats who had strong pitching and defense in the first game got a repeat outing in the second from junior pitcher Jaquie Gregoire who went the distance allowing three runs on five hits. The three runs came in the top of the first as Salinas doubled to deep center giving the Dustdevils their only runs of the game. Gregoire struck out nine in the win as she earns her first win of the season.
ACU would get the bats going in the afternoon as they tallied their first run in the second inning when Candice Miller doubled to lead off the inning and later scored when Melissa Mendoza singled her in. Mendoza was near perfect on the day as she went 4 for 4 in the first game with a run scored and an RBI and was 2 for 4 in the first game.
The Wildcats would take the lead later in the second when Shawna Barrow recorded her second hit clearing the bases and giving ACU the lead for good as she doubled to center, but was thrown out trying to advance to third.
Caitlin Nabors would later add to the Wildcat lead as she singled to left field driving in Andi Anti who reached earlier in the inning on an error.
Nancy Sawyers also added an RBI as she recorded her second multi-hit game of the season. Jenny Kulp also recorded her first two hit game of the season.
The Wildcats will finish the St. Mary's Classic tomorrow morning as they face Incarnate Word with first pitch scheduled for 10 a.m.
