NATCHITOCHES, La. - The Wildcats (6-6, 0-1 Southland) started three of their first five innings with a leadoff double, but Northwestern State starter Logan Hoffman kept the damage to an absolute minimum as part of a nine strikeout / 5.0 inning performance that keyed a 7-1 win for the Demons (10-3, 1-0 Southland).
Hoffman improved to 3-0 on the season and has a 38 to 5 K/BB ratio despite having to throw 107 pitches Friday evening.
The Wildcats certainly made the Demon's ace work, leaving five runners in scoring position through the first four frames before finally breaking his shutout bid on a two-out throwing error in the fifth inning with the bases loaded.
Hayden Clearman scored the Wildcats' lone run as part of a 2-for-3 performance with a single, double and walk.
Clearman doubled to lead off the fifth, advanced to second base on a walk to
Tommy Cruz, and headed to third base on a ground ball to the second baseman.
Hunter Gieser then rolled on to NSU third baseman Cameron Parikh whose fielding miscue allowed Clearman to score without a throw home.
Hoffman got another ground ball to escape the bases-loaded jam before turning it over to his bullpen of Cameron Taylor (3K) and Evan Daigle, who combined to allow four base runners over the final four innings.
ACU starter
Austin Wagner struck out five but was chased after 3.1 innings. He gave up a two-run home run to Peyton Davis in the second inning that made it a 3-0 game for NSU. He then doubled in his next at-bat and scored on Larson Fontenot's two-bagger to left field that pushed the home team's advantage to 5-0.
Johnnie Krawietz (2.1 IP) and
Trevor Jackson (2.1 IP) both pitched in relief for the Wildcats. Jackson allowed one hit, one walk and struck out two of the eight batters he faced.
ACU and Northwestern State continue their three-game series Saturday at 2 p.m.
