ABILENE – After only recording five hits to open the series ACU knocked out 20 hits against Texas Woman's as they swept the Lone Star Conference series. On Monday the Wildcats fell in the first game of the doubleheader 9-8 and 4-2 in the finale at Wells Field.
The Wildcats lost their LSC opening series for the first time since 2002 when they lost three-of-four to Angelo State. Monday's doubleheader was a tale of two different games as both teams accounted for 26 hits -13 apiece- in game one. In game two a pitchers dual between Brittany Rexroat and Carly Case.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first when Shawna Barrow paced ACU as she singled and stole second before scoring again stealing home on a delayed steal. Barrow was 2-for-4 with a run scored and three stolen bases.
ACU would add a single run in the third and three more in the fourth inning. After collecting four hits in the inning Jenny Kulp capped off the inning with a two-run double in the right field gap scoring Missy Mendoza and Andi Anti.
The Wildcats final run came in the fifth when a single by Caitlin Nabors scored Genevie Ramirez. Ramirez reached on a walk and stole second before scoring to give ACU an 8-3 lead.
However the bullpen for the Wildcats gave up six runs on seven hits in the final two innings. The Wildcats also struggled driving in runners as they left 11 on base.
Starter Brittany Rexroat was solid through four innings allowing three runs on six hits. She also added
two strikeouts picking up a no-decision with her effort.
In game two the Pioneers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning with two runs on two hits, but the Wildcats would respond in the second to cut the lead in half. Sophomore Brianna Fowlkes hit a lead-off homer to left field for her second of the season.
ACU would add another run in the fifth to tie the game when Barrow scored her second run of the day. Stephanie Tingle singled to left allowing Barrow to score from second after stealing her fourth base of the day.
TWU finished the sweep in the top of the seventh on a double by Brittany Callahan scoring Hailey Siebman. The Pioneers added an insurance run when Callahan scored on a ball hit back to the pitchers circle sliding under Tingle's tag.
Both starters went the distance as Rexroat picked up the loss falling to 4-4 on the season.
The Wildcats will return to action this weekend in the Lone Star Conference Crossover in Durant, Oklahoma. ACU will have two games each day with the tournament starting on Friday and ending on Sunday. The Wildcats will take on Southeastern Oklahoma in game one starting at 10:30 a.m. followed by a matchup with Cameron.
