ABILENE – The ACU softball team was swept by Northwestern State in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader at Wells Field as the Lady Demons won the series with wins by the scores of 9-1 and 4-0.
The Lady Demons (17-8 overall and 5-1 in the Southland Conference) won the first game via the run rule in five innings, and then made a three-run home run in the first inning of the second game by Sidney Harris stand up for the win in the second game. ACU – which won the first game of the series, 4-3, Friday night, falls to 9-14 and 3-3.
The Wildcats return to action next weekend (March 23-24) when it hosts Houston Baptist in a three-game set at Wells Field. The doubleheader gets started Friday with a 5 p.m. doubleheader, followed by a single game Saturday at noon.
Here's a brief look at each of Saturday's games:
Game 1 (NW State 9, ACU 1, 5 innings) – Northwestern State broke the game open with three runs in the third and four more in the fourth, turning a 1-0 lead into an 8-0 lead. Julie Rawls had a three-run home run in the third inning and added a two-run double in the fourth inning.
Calie Burris (1-4) took the loss for the Wildcats as she went two innings and gave up two runs on four hits. She was relieved in the circle by
Shelby Craig, who gave up seven runs (all earned) on nine hits in three innings of work.
Game 2 (NW State 4, ACU 0) – Harris ripped a three-run home run to left-centerfield in the first inning off ACU starting pitcher
Hannah Null, and that was enough offense for Northwestern State pitcher Micaela Bouiver, who went the distance to pick up the win, improving to 8-2 on the season. Bouvier allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out four Wildcats in seven innings.
ACU's best chance to get back into the game came in the bottom of the sixth when the Wildcats loaded the bases with one out on a
Donelle Johnson walk,
Braegan Hamilton double and
Holly Neese walk. But
Kayla Keeling and
Peyton Hedrick flew out to left field and center field, respectively, as Bouvier was able to work out of the jam and leave the bases loaded.
