Wildcats Host Zias in Home Finale

ABILENE – The Wildcats will host Eastern New Mexico for senior weekend festivities in their home finale. ACU enters the weekend at sixth in the Lone Star South Division, but with a little help could still have a shot at a third consecutive post season berth.

ABILENE CHRISTIAN vs. EASTERN NEW MEXICO
APRIL 24-25, 2010 • ABILENE, TX.

FIRST PITCH
Entering the final home series for ACU the Wildcats have pushed their LSC Postseason hopes to the brink. While the Wildcats are still alive in the race to the postseason they need some help which could come in a couple different ways. Last weekend the Wildcats three-game series at Tarleton State was shortened to just a two game series due to a rain out on Sunday. The TexAnns took games from ACU on Friday, 5-0 and 2-3. Nancy Sawyers was a bright spot for the Wildcats going 3-for-6 with a  homerun pulling the Wildcats to a 2-2 tie in game two. A one out hit in the bottom of the seventh inning would be the difference handing ACU their 12th loss in one-run ballgames. On Tuesday night the Wildcats split a non-conference series with St. Edward's as Shanwa Barrow delievered a double down the right field line for an extra inning one-run victory. Barrow is still the conference leader in stolen bases and among the leaders in NCAA DII just four behind the top spot. Senior outfielder Jenny Kulp also leads the LSC in doubles with 19 and is tied for third in NCAA DII. Her 19 doubles also put her one behind the single season record of 20 set by Jessica Shiery in 2008.

SERIES HISTORY
ACU leads 28-22. The Wildcats have a five game winning streak against the Zias. ACU took all three from Eastern New Mexico last season in the middle of an 11 game winning streak before entering the LSC Post Season tournament.

Double Leaders
Last year ACU catcher Jessica Shiery lead the nation in walks so this year a different style has cause another Wildcat to be among the leaders in NCAA Division II. Shawna Barrow has been either No.1 or No.2 all season in stolen bases. Barrow currently has 40 stolen bases which is good for No.4 in the country and leading the LSC. Her 40 stolen bases is also a single season and all-time record at ACU

Also senior Jenny Kulp has found her name at the top of a national leader board. Kulp is currently third in the NCAA DII lead in doubles with 19. Kulp vaulted to the top with a huge week against St. Mary's and Angelo State as she hit .500 and recorded four doubles finishing with a .722 slugging percentage. Her 19 is also just one shy of the single season record at ACU.

UP NEXT
ACU will hit the road for their final series of the regular season with conference leader West Texas A&M. The Wildcats and Lady Buffs will tangle as ACU hopes to get some help to continue their season.