LAKE CHARLES, La. – Abilene Christian softball had as many base hits as errors with four and struck out 11 times against McNeese starter Emily Vincent in a 5-1 rubber-game loss Saturday at Cowgirl Diamond.
The win gave McNeese its fourth-consecutive Southland Conference series victory in improving to 26-7 overall and 11-1 vs. the league, while the Wildcats fell to 13-17 and 7-5.
Hedrick hit her sixth home run of the spring and second of the weekend in the first inning to put ACU ahead 1-0, but the Cowgirls immediately capitalized in their half of the first by converting several mistakes and free passes into two runs.
McNeese scored its first run on an infield error while the go-ahead run came home on a passed ball. The Cowgirls left the bases loaded, but scored once more in the second on a sacrifice fly and plated two additional runs in the fourth inning for all their scoring.
ACU's pitching staff of starter
Allison Turner and relievers
Julia Montoya and
Hannah Null allowed only four singles to the league's best-hitting team; however, they also combined for seven walks and a hit by pitch.
Catcher Erika Piancastelli drew three walks and scored two runs for the Cowgirls, while cleanup batter Tori Yanitor was credited with three RBI despite going 0-for-1 at the plate. The right fielder drew a first-inning walk and had sacrifice flies in the second and fourth innings.
Center fielder Marisa Taunton went 2-for-4 with two runs and No. 8 batter Megan Trahan had a single and a run scored.
Vincent retired nine consecutive Wildcats after allowing the Hendrick home run until sophomore third baseman
Holly Neese hit the first of her two doubles with one away in the fourth. Unfortunately, Neese was left stranded as Vincent bounced back with several clutch strikeouts.
The Wildcats also threatened in the fifth inning with runners at the corners and two outs, but Vincent got Hedrick to fly out to center field.
ACU returns home to Poly Wells Field next Friday for the start of a three-game series against Incarnate Word. Friday's doubleheader starts at 5 p.m., and Saturday's game begins at 1 p.m.
