Softball opens 2018 season at UTSA Classic

ABILENE – The Abilene Christian softball team begins its 2018 campaign Friday at the UTSA Classic in San Antonio at Roadrunner Field.
 
The Wildcats will battle Seton Hall, Southern Illinois and UTSA on Friday and Saturday. Sunday ACU will face Southland Conference foe Texas A&M – Corpus Christi with first pitch set for 11:30 a.m.
 
Both Friday's and Saturday's games are slated for 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Head coach Bobby Reeves and his team with face Seton Hall for their first game Friday followed by a match up with Southern Illinois. The Wildcats and Salukis will hit the field in Saturday's game one and conclude the day against UTSA.
 
ACU has never matched up against Seton Hall, Southern Illinois or UTSA. The Wildcats and Islanders have faced each other 13 times with the Wildcats holding a 10-3 advantage. ACU beat Corpus in all four of last season's matchups between the two teams.
 
The Wildcats return 12 players from last year's roster including preseason all-conference selections, Peyton Hedrick (first team shortstop), Holly Neese (first team second baseman), Hannah Null (first team pitcher), Tori Poullard (second team third baseman), and Braegan Hamilton (second team outfielder). ACU welcomes eight new faces this season, six freshmen and two transfers.
 
The Wildcats went 33-22 overall, 20-7 SLC last season to finish second in conference behind McNeese State.
 
Links to live stats and video for all six games can be found at UTSA Classic tournament central.
 
Coach's Quote:
"I believe Southern Illinois won their conference last year so it will be nice to be able to play them twice," said head coach Bobby Reeves. "Seton Hall has some really good players, UTSA has always been a team that if you make some mistakes pitching they are going to hit it a long way. I am sure Corpus has revamped with a lot of new faces, it will be interesting to see what they do."
 

---

Game Schedule:
Friday, Feb. 09
Seton Hall vs. Abilene Christian – 11:30 a.m.
Abilene Christian vs. Southern Illinois – 4:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, Feb. 10
Southern Illinois vs. Abilene Christian – 11:30 a.m.
Abilene Christian vs. UTSA – 4:30 p.m.
 
Sunday, Feb. 11
Texas A&M – Corpus Christi vs. Abilene Christian – 11:30 a.m.  
 
*Home team listed second