ABILENE – Things got interesting in the late innings Saturday afternoon at Crutcher Scott Field during the rubber match between ACU and Lamar. The Cardinals scored three runs in the final two innings, including a two-run home run with no outs in the ninth, but senior
Brennan Lewis buckled down and got the final three outs to clinch a 6-5 victory for
Rick McCarty's club. The win loomed large, keeping the Wildcats (21-18, 8-10 SLC) within a few games of eighth place in the conference standings.
ACU tallied just four hits, but used unconventional ways to score runs and keep the lead the entire way. After a hit, a hit-by-pitch, and a passed ball put runners at second and third base with no one out in the first, redshirt senior
Luis Trevino grounded out to shortstop to plate the first run,
Dalton Dunn. After Lamar tied the game in the third on a solo homer, the 'Cats answered right back.
Lamar helped out with a couple errors at second base in the home third. An error on a bobble allowed Dunn to be safe on a fielder's choice. Then, with runners on the corners,
Dalon Farkas looked to end the inning with a potential double-play ball. The out was recorded at second, but a wide throw allowed a pair of runs to score, and the home team led 3-1.
The middle innings were dominated by pitching. Lamar starter Grason Wright went 6.1 innings, allowing just one earned on three hits.
Jonathan Nicholson got the ball for ACU, and went 5.0 frames, allowing just one run on five base knocks.
Zach Smith only faced one batter, and
Brennan Lewis took over from that point forward.
Lewis went 4.0 innings for the save, recording his ninth of the year, adding to his single-season team record for saves in a season. Lewis allowed three earned runs on five hits, but fought through to keep the 'Cats on top.
The Cardinals would get within a run in the top of the seventh on an rbi-groundout, but the Wildcats responded yet again after the stretch.
Lane Bourland got the inning going with a leadoff double into the left-field corner, and after a
Colton Eager sacrifice bunt, was at third with one out. Dunn walked on four pitches, setting up runners on the corners. Lamar then helped the home team again.
A failed pickoff attempt went all the way to the fence in foul territory behind first base, allowing Bourland to score, and Dunn to get to second.
Derek Scott then walked, and ACU was in business. Trevino then added to his rbi total with a two-run double to right center to push the lead to 6-3.
Lamar's JC Correa launched a homer to left field in the eighth to make it a 6-3 game, and Rhett McCall ripped a two-run shot in the ninth to cut the ACU lead to one, 6-5. Lewis fought through, got two straight outs, but the visitors would put the tying run at second with a double. However, the game came to an end on a groundout to short, with
Collin Chaney making a nice stretch at first to get the runner. ACU celebrated second series win of the league schedule in 2019.
Nicholson (4-4) earned the win, while Lewis got the four-inning save. Offensively, Dunn scored three of the six runs to lead the way, while four different players recorded the four hits. Trevino's three RBI bring his season total to 51.
The home stand continues for ACU as it hosts Dallas Christian on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. The Wildcats will then welcome in the McNeese Cowboys for a three-game set at The Crutch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 26-28.
