ABILENE -- Freshman centerfielder
Tyler Eager has wasted little time in making his mark on the ACU baseball program, and his performance Saturday was no different.
Eager had a three-run home run in the first game Saturday to help the Wildcats to a 10-2 win over Colorado Christian, but he saved his best for the final pitch of the game in the nightcap of the doubleheader. His bases-loaded, two-out single down the left field line drove in the game-winning run as ACU rallied for five runs in the bottom of the 10th to win 10-9 and complete a four-game sweep at Crutcher Scott Field.
The two wins on a clear, frigid day at the ballpark push ACU's winning streak to give games and its overall record to 6-2. The Cougars, meanwhile, leave Texas with an 0-4 record. The Wildcats will return to action next weekend when ACU hosts Southern Arkansas in a four-game set Friday and Saturday at Crutcher Scott Field.
Saturday's second game was ridiculous in several facets, not the least of which is that ACU won the game despite committing eight errors. The Wildcats also left 16 runners on base, used five pitchers, gave up 12 hits and gave up three extra-base hits.
Colorado Christian led 4-2, 4-3 and 5-4 before the Wildcats were able to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth when
Mark Bailey doubled to left-centerfield to drive in
Rodge Macy with the game-tying run.
The Cougars answered, however, with four runs in the top of the ninth, collecting four hits and taking advantage of three ACU errors to grab a seemingly insurmountable 9-5 lead. But the Wildcats wouldn't die.
Eager led off the 10th by reaching on catcher's interference and then went to second on a wild pitch.
Travis Schuetze and
Chuck Duarte then walked to load the bases before Macy walked to drive in Eager to make it 9-6.
Bryce Gerhardt then singled through the right side of the infield to drive in Schuetze and Duarte to make it a 9-8 game.
After
Ryan Luckie grounded out with the infield drawn in,
Kevin Finklea grounded out to third base, but the groundout allowed Macy to score with the game-tying run.
Duncan Blades was then intentionally walked and he advaned to second on a wild pitch, pushing Gerhard to third base.
Luke Mejia then walked to load the bases before the left-handed Eager sliced a line drive down the left field line that dropped about one foot fair and just out of the reach of the CCU leftfielder to drive in Gerhardt with the game-winning run.
Eager got the Wildcats off to a quick start in the first game with a three-run home run to right field, sparking a five-run second inning. ACU put together two more runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth on their way to the 10-2 win.
Emmett Niland was 3 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBI in the contest.
Jordan Herrera got the start and went four innings to pick up the win, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out three batters.
Michael Curtis threw one-third of an inning in the top of the 10th in the nightcap to earn his first win of th season.
