Wildcats walk off in El Paso to split doubleheader

Saturday, February 12

El Paso, Texas

11 A.M. CT

Abilene Christian

1-2

Idaho State

2-3

Idaho State

Abilene Christian

Photo by: Cassie Kelley

Wildcats walk off in El Paso to split doubleheader

2/12/2022 6:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

EL PASO, Texas – The ACU softball team continued the first tournament of the year on Saturday, picking up the season's first win with a walk-off hit against Idaho State. The Wildcats followed with a tight 3-1 loss to Creighton in ACU's second twin bill in as many days.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game 1 | ACU vs. Idaho State

Sadie Eichelberger opened the home second with a triple down the left field line, and Rose Gonzales followed with a single up the middle to plate the first run of the game.
The Bengals responded with two runs of their own in the top of the third before a solo home run and an infield single gave ISU a 4-1 lead in the sixth.
Eichelberger struck again in the home sixth, singling up the middle to plate pinch runner Isabel Martinez and cut the deficit to two.
Idaho State went back to work in the top of the seventh inning, adding to runs to their lead to make a 6-2 game.
Matti Reiling singled with one out and the bases empty in the bottom half, and Shaylee Alani followed with ACU's second triple of the game.
Avery Miloch beat out an infield single to score Alani and bring the Purple and White within two runs.
Calie Burris belted a double to right center, allowing Alani to score without a throw, and Eichelberger was then hit by a pitch to put the tying run in scoring position and the winning run at first base.
Gonzales singled to center, but pinch runner Mckenley Clark was cut down at the plate, bringing the 'Cats to their final out.
Miranda Davila crushed a double to left, plating both Gonzales and Eichelberger and giving ACU its' first win of the young season.

Game 2 | ACU vs. Creighton

The nightcap proved to be a pitcher's duel, as a third inning single off the bat of Burris provided the first run of the game.
The Bluejays tied the game with a single in the sixth and forced extras before plating two runs in the top of the eighth inning for the win.
Reiling and Davila each provided a pair of bases hits, while Sidney Holman-Mansell went the distance and racked up nine strikeouts in the circle.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

Mansell has now struck out 13 batters in two appearances for the Purple and White this spring.
Reiling has hit safely in all four games on the weekend, while Burris enters play Sunday as the team's leader in RBI.
Through four games, ACU has stolen seven bases in eight attempts, with Gonzales going a perfect 3-for-3.

ON DECK:

The Wildcats are set to wrap up the UTEP Tournament on Sunday and will face two teams for the second time this weekend. First pitch against Creighton is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT, with a matchup against UTEP set to follow at 2:00 p.m. CT.

#GoWildcats