ABILENE – A late Wildcat rally fell short in game one, and a late rally propelled McNeese in game two as the visitors took two from ACU Friday night at Poly Wells Field. After trailing the majority of the opener, a seventh-inning rally came one-run short in a 3-2 defeat. Game two featured a five-run seventh for the Cowgirls, who topped the 'Cats 6-2 to sweep the day.
The two squads will get together for the series finale on Saturday, April 6, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.
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Game 1: McNeese 3, ACU 2
Samantha Bradley took the ball in the opener for
Bobby Reeves' club, and went the distance in defeat, allowing three runs on just six hits. However, McNeese starter Saleen Flores equaled in effectiveness, shutting down the Wildcats to the tune of two runs on six hits. The strength of the Cowgirls, pitching, showed up Friday.
McNeese built a 3-0 lead behind a solo home run in the third inning and a triple and sacrifice fly in the fifth. The visitors, who have a 2.65 earned run average as a pitching staff, took the shutout to the seventh. ACU had a rally in them, though.
Linsey Tomlinson launched her second home run as a Wildcat into right center field, and ACU was within a run, 3-2. The home team had three chances to tie the game, but Flores got the final three consecutive outs to close the game.
Tomlinson and
Anna Grace Johnson each tallied two hits in the loss.
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Game 2: McNeese 6, ACU 2
It was the Wildcats who got off to the good start in the second game, loading the bases in the first against starter Amber Coons. However, McNeese made the change and went back to Flores, who got the win in game one. ACU would score first with a bases-loaded walk, but would struggle to get consistent base runners the rest of the way.
Briana Tijerina would double the Wildcat lead in the fourth inning with an rbi-single to right field, and leading 2-0,
Calie Burris had a good cushion. The sophomore starter went six strong innings, allowing one run on five hits.
McNeese got on the board in the fifth with an rbi-single to shortstop, but would not get anymore until the seventh.
Bradley took over for Burris to start the seventh, and looking for a save, allowed a leadoff walk. After a sacrifice bunt, McNeese rallied with a triple, a single, and a double to grab the lead.
Jillian Hefner took over from there, but a sacrifice fly and a home run added to the Cowgirl lead, extending it to 6-2.
ACU got a double from
Blair Clayton in the bottom half, but the Wildcats would send only four to the plate, falling 6-2 in the finale.
Clayton and Tijerina led the way with two hits apiece in game two.
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