LUBBOCK, Texas – Freshman hurler
Sidney Holman tossed a complete game two-hitter and four Abilene Christian batters recorded multi-hit games as the Wildcats prevailed over Texas Tech, 5-1, Wednesday night at Rocky Johnson Field in the third of their three-game season series.
The Red Raiders (16-18) won the first two games earlier this season by scores of 3-0 and 2-1, but the Wildcats tonight simply clicked in all areas of the game, getting timely hits, capitalizing on errors and making tremendous defensive plays, all to help Holman secure her 15th win of the season. ACU has now won its last four games in improving to 22-14 on the spring.
Holman retired the first six batters she faced, however, a leadoff walk to begin the third would lead to the Red Raiders grabbing the game's first lead at 1-0. Texas Tech shortstop Brittany Warnecke battled back from an 0-2 count to get on base, and was lifted for pinch runner Camaury Washington, who stole her fifth base of the season before taking off for third base on Ashley Fultz' single up the middle.
The defense then came to Holman's aid with shortstop
Peyton Hedrick turning a 6-3 double play followed by an over-the-shoulder catch in shallow right field by second baseman
Tori Poullard. Washington scored on the double-play ball.
Each side was held scoreless in the fourth, and then the Wildcats began to turn things around n the fifth thanks to a combination of luck, skill and sheer hustle.
Alli Spivey reached on an error in leading off and advanced to third on
Taylor Brown's single through the right side that threaded its way between the gloves of the Red Raiders' first and second basemen. Spivey was ultimately erased at third base on a fielder's choice, but
Brianna Barnhill dropped in a bloop single to center off Kiana Ramsey's glove to load the bases.
Casey-May Huff then hit a ground ball to first base that resulted in a force out at home, but the Calgary, Alberta native ended up at second base after catcher Susan Welborn threw the ball over the first-baseman's head trying to turn a double play. Hedrick scored on that play to tie the score at 1-1, and the next batter
Braegan Hamilton drove in two runs with her infield single to shortstop. Hamilton just beat the shortstop's throw, and as a result of the safe call, Barnhill and Huff were able to score the go-ahead runs.
Holman continued to cruise after the third inning, allowing just two base runners and one hit – a single by Warnecke with one out in the fifth. From there, Holman retired the last eight batters she faced and got a diving catch from
Taylor Brown in center field for the second out of the seventh. The game ended on Raina O'Neal's ground ball to shortstop
Peyton Hedrick, who was credited with three putouts and four assists on a windy day.
Holman did a good job of keeping the ball low as only four outs were made by the outfielders.
ACU padded its lead in the seventh with two insurance runs. Barnhill homered off starter Mattison Maisel to dead center field with one out, and after reliever Hannah Broseman walked two batters on eight pitches, Poullard chopped a shot back up the middle to score Huff.
The Wildcats return to action Friday for the start of a major three-game series vs. Nicholls. ACU is currently tied for first place with McNeese at 11-1, while the Colonels are right behind them at 10-2. Game times are Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon for a doubleheaders.
Children who wear their little league baseball and softball uniforms to this weekend's games will receive free admission.
