ABILENE – Abilene Christian lost its series finale to Bryant, 11-1, Sunday at Crutcher Scott Field to fall to 1-2 on the season. The Bulldogs scored 10 of their 11 runs between the fourth and fifth innings, and their pitching allowed just two base hits in the second inning – an infield single by
Derek Scott and two-out double by
Robert Salazar.
The Wildcats later placed runners on base in five additional innings but scored their only run on a two-out fielder's choice RBI in the eighth inning by pinch hitter
Kenny Otero.
Bryant scored a first-inning run for the third straight game and put the game out of reach with a seven-run fourth. A throwing error by starting pitcher
Jonathan Nicholson allowed the second Bulldog run to score, and three batters later Jake Gustin (2-3, 2 run, 2 RBI) slashed a two-run single to center field.
Nicholson was pulled after a RBI single from Nick Angelini made it a 6-0 game, and then reliever
Bryant Jordan surrendered a two-run home run to Chris Wright.
The Wildcats nearly got out of the fifth inning unscathed, but Tyler Panno went deep to right field with two outs and Bryant tacked on their last run courtesy of a Angelini RBI single to left.
ACU's last four relievers –
Mark Geisel (1.1),
David Ruot (1.0),
Zach Smith (1.0) and
Cole McKay (1.0) – combined for 4.1 scoreless innings and surrendered only two base hits (both singles).
The Wildcats return to action Tuesday with a 6:30 p.m. game at TCU.
