DURANT, Okla. – On day of the Lone Star Conference Crossover the Wildcats earned a split with Southeastern Oklahoma and Cameron on Friday. After a couple of one-run and last inning losses the Wildcats were able to return the favor in game one picking up a 4-2 win in the seventh over Southeastern. And for the third consecutive game with Cameron the Aggies took an eighth inning victory away from ACU 7-6 at nearby Rock Creek High School.
Game one
With some tough losses on the schedule the Wildcats looked at the LSC Crossover as a chance to start anew against North Division foes. ACU was able to do that in game one picking up a late inning win over Southeastern, 4-2 to avenge an earlier loss in San Antonio to open the season.
Starter Brittany Rexroat continued her solid spring in the pitchers circle working a complete game for her fifth win of the season. Rexroat scattered seven hits over seven innings and allowing only two runs coming in the second.
The Savage Storm picked up both their runs after fielder's choice allowed one run to score and heads-up base running from Mandi Worthington gave Southeastern a 2-0 lead.
ACU would chip back into Southeastern's lead when Stephanie Tingle singled through the left side scoring Shawna Barrow. Barrow also stole second to get into scoring position for her first of two on the day.
It was the top of the seventh where the Wildcats capitalized just as opponents have done all season against ACU. Back-to-back singles from Caitlin Nabors and Barrow, followed by Tingle getting hit by a pitch loaded the bases for Missy Mendoza. Mendoza responded with a double that squeaked inside the right field line scoring Nabors and Barrow on what became the eventual game winning hit.
Candice Miller, Mendoza and Barrow all recorded two hits for the Wildcats as Mendoza added two RBIs and Barrow a pair of runs.
Game two
Losing both games of a doubleheader at Cameron in the last inning a few weeks ago seemed almost unbearable. Friday's second game was not any different for the Wildcats after finishing game one with solid pitching and clutch hitting game two was almost the opposite.
After taking a 6-2 lead into the sixth inning the Wildcats gave up three homeruns, a two-run homer from Callie Schlatter to left and a solo bomb from Cheryl Raesz to send the game to extra innings.
In extras using the international tie-breaker ACU had Mendoza on third and Miller on first with one out, but was unable to drive either one home. The two runners were part of 14 runners left on base for the Wildcats in the game two loss.
Just as in they did on their home field the Aggies' Jessica Orr knocked a two out single to left center scoring Raesz giving Cameron another one-run victory.
Sophomore Brianna Fowlkes had two homeruns in the loss for ACU. Her first was a solo homer to center to lead-off the second inning and a two-run homer to left in the fifth.
The Wildcats starter was Jacque Gregoire who got her first start in over a month going five innings and allowing seven hits and four runs, all homeruns for Cameron. Shelby Hall pitched two innings of relief and also allowed two runs both of which were also homeruns.
Rexroat pitched the eighth picking up a tough luck loss and becoming the pitcher of record in both games moving her record to 5-5.
The Wildcats continue at the LSC Crossover tomorrow opening with the early contest against East Central at 10:30 a.m. followed by Central Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. After moving Friday's games to nearby Rock Creek High School because of rain, Saturday's games should all be at the Durant Multi-Sports Complex, the original site of the tournament.
