SAN ANGELO, Texas - Abilene Christian pitching was slammed for 16 runs over 6.0 innings in the series opener vs.No. 15 Angelo State Friday evening at Foster Field.
The loss was ACU's (24-23, 11-15 LSC) worst of 2012. However, the charcoal lining on this black cloud of a defeat was Cameron's equally humiliating 23-8 loss to Tarleton State that kept the Aggies a game behind ACU for the final spot in the Lone Star Conference Championship.
Winners of four straight, Angelo State (33-14, 17-8 LSC) remained in first place a 1.0 game ahead of Incarnate Word and 2.0 in front of Texas A&M-Kingsville.
The Rams scored half their 16 runs in the first inning as they sent 11 men to the plate. Quaid McKinnon hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat, and later delivered a RBI single in his second plate appearance. In between, Angelo State received three additional run-scoring hits, including Doug Snover's two-run double.
Lee Neumann made it a 11-0 game in the fourth with a home run off
Sam Malchar, and McKinnon added a solo shot in fifth that extended the ASU lead to 12-0.
Brett Parson's capped the Rams' scoring with a two-run single to center off
Kregg Snook.
All nine of Angelo State hitters recorded at least one hit and a run, and all but No. 9 hitter Tate Allison drove in a RBI.
McKinnon finished the game with five RBI, while Neumann scored three runs.
Travis Schuetze (3 for 3) and
Chuck Duarte (2 for 3) combine for all five of ACU's hits.
The Wildcats and Rams continue their series Saturday with a 4 p.m. doubleheader.
