Wildcats Can't Complete Sweep As Zias Rally Late

ABILENE - The Abilene Christian softball team settled for a split of Saturday's doubleheader at Poly Wells Field after Eastern New Mexico scored three in the sixth to capture a 4-2 win. The Zias' victory snapped a four-game losing streak and prevented an ACU series sweep.

The Wildcats (28-12, 14-8 LSC) led for most of game two after Keanna Winkfield scored them single runs in the first and third innings, but Eastern (13-32, 5-18 LSC) struck back in the fourth on Josette Aguirre's solo home run to right that made it a 2-1 game.

Aguirre came through again two innings later, this time plating the game-tying run on a one-out single. Starter and winning pitcher Katie Ramsay (2-12) scored on Aguirre's hit, and after her teammates scored twice more on Kuuleiokealoha VonSchriltz' double to left-center gap, she retired six of the final seven Wildcats she faced.

ACU was presented with several opportunities during the early goings to put the game out of reach, but a double play squashed a threat in the first, and a runner was stranded at third with one out in the second.

Then in the fourth, the Wildcats drew back-to-back leadoff walks only to see Ramsay rebound by the retiring the next three batters on two fly balls and a strikeout. ACU recorded just two more singles over the final three innings without advancing a runner past first.

The Wildcats won the first game, 6-2, behind 6.0 shutout innings from Peyton Mosley (11-5). Eastern broke ACU's shutout bid in the seventh when first baseman Kaylyn Medrano blasted her first home run of the year  - a two-run shot - over the wall in right field off reliever Shelby Hall.

All the ACU runs were scored in the third as it sent 10 batters to the plate, two of which were helped by a pair of Zia errors. Lyndi Smith led off the frame with a double and scored two batters later when Sara Vaughn's fly ball to center was dropped by Savannah Chavez. Courtney Flanary followed with a RBI single and was helped over to second base when the left fielder booted the ball, and then Briggs made it a 3-0 game with her sacrifice fly.

Consecutive walks issued by starter Amy Smith (8-18) again loaded the bases for ACU and catcher Erin Gilliland, who responded by clearing the bags with a double to the wall in left-center.

Ramsay relieved Smith at the start of the fifth, and despite getting into trouble early, surrendered just one hit and one walk over the final 2.0 innings.

Mosley struck out three to finish the weekend 2-0. She also won Friday night's 4-1 decision over the Zias. Caitlyn Carin (13-5) suffered the loss for ACU in game two.

The Wildcats return to action Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. game against nationally ranked Angelo State. They'll complete their regular season next weekend at Midwestern State.

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Abilene Christian 6, Eastern New Mexico 2 (Apr 14, 2012 at Abilene, TX) (Game 1)
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