ABILENE — ACU scored six runs in the first inning and that was enough to help the Wildcats outlast Grambling, 7-4, in the first game of a three-game non-conference baseball series Friday night at Crutcher Scott Field.
The win extends ACU's winning streak to a modest two games and pushes the Wildcats to 12-13 overall. Grambling, meanwhile, falls to 11-14 on the season. The teams will continue the series Saturday at 2 p.m. before the final game of the set at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Each of the first six batters in ACU's lineup reached base and scored in the first inning against Grambling starting pitcher Grant Landry, who lasted just one-third of an inning before being taken out of the game. Landry gave up six runs — all earned — on five hits and two walks.
Dalon Farkas led off the bottom of the first with a single and stole second before
Derek Scott and
Luis Trevino each walked to load the bases.
Koby Claborn then doubled into the gap in left-centerfield to drive in Farkas and Scott and give ACU an early 2-0 lead.
Ryne Randle then singled to left to drive in Trevino to make it 3-0 before Matt Munoz singled in Claborn to make it 4-0.
Seth Watts singled in Randle and Munoz to make it 6-0 and that was the last batter Landry faced.
Grambling left-handed pitcher Bryan Delgado was outstanding in relief as he scattered eight hits over the final 7 2/3 innings, allowing just one run and one walk while striking out five Wildcats.
ACU starting pitcher
Spencer Chirpich went 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and striking out five, picking up the win to improve to 4-2 on the season.
Bryant Jordan threw a solid 2 1/3 innings before
Brennan Lewis finished the top of the ninth with 2/3 scoreless innings to pick up his seventh save of the season.
