ABILENE – The Wildcat softball squad kept their postseason hopes alive as their offense provided the knockout punch to Tarleton State, 11-8 to open a three-game Lone Star Conference Series at Wells Field Friday night.
ACU improved to 27-26 and 10-9 in league play with the win, however, Texas Woman's also knocked off Angelo State to stay even with the Wildcats. In case of a tie with ACU and TWU, the Pioneers would take the spot in next week's Lone Star Conference tournament by virtue of tiebreaker.
A big second inning gave ACU an early 4-1 lead as they batted around starting with walks from
Lyndi Smith and
Brianna Fowlkes, catcher
Erin Gilliland rocked a double off the left center wall driving in both. Gilliland would come around to score on a double off the base of the wall from
Ashley Calles. Both Gilliland and Calles had two hits and two RBIs in the win.
The Wildcats would get insurance runs in the fourth and fifth capped off by a
Megan Brigance homerun in the fifth. It would be much needed runs for ACU as the TexAnns would pull within one run in the top of the sixth with a home run as well.
However, the Wildcats would squeak four more runs in the sixth including a heads up play from Brigance who was able to sneak past the TSU catcher after a dropped third strike.
Senior
Brittany Rexroat won her 13th game as she went 5.2 innings to get the win allowing six runs (three earned) on eight hits. Peyton Mosely was again solid out of the bullpen walking none in 1.1 innings of work.
Missy Mendoza went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs as she now has 80 hits on the year and is just six shy of the ACU single season record.
ACU and Tarleton State will close out the regular season on Saturday with a double-header starting at 1 p.m. The Wildcats will also honor four seniors before the first game for senior day activities.
