ABILENE - Abilene Christian and Texas Tech softball continue their semi-annual rivalry Wednesday when the Wildcats visit Lubbock's Rocky Johnson Field for a 6 p.m. game on ESPN+.
"There's always extra added motivation and enthusiasm during Tech week," said head coach Abigail Farler. "The players are sticking around for additional work before and after practice and finding ways to get better. Morale is high. No one is giving up. We're just a little frustrated at not being in the win column more often."
ACU and the Red Raiders have split their last six meetings dating back to April 2017, when former Wildcat Sidney Holman-Mansell tossed a complete game two-hitter en route to a 5-1 win in the Panhandle. ACU also won last year's contest at Poly Wells, 7-2.
More recently, however, the Wildcats are looking to rebound from last weekend's sweep at the hands of Utah Tech.
ACU hit the ball well, averaging above 5.0 runs per game at home with four home runs, but couldn't overcome some rough spots on the field and in the circle.
Avery Miloch (.556) was one of three Wildcats to hit above .300 vs. the Trailblazers as she cracked five hits and went back-to-back with Sammie Shelander (.444). Shelander went yard twice Sunday in totaling four RBI for the series, while Catrin Hoffman (.333) hit her first home run Saturday.
Miloch's homer was her team-leading seventh of the season, while the team ranks third in the WAC with 36 doubles and .353 on-base percentage.
"We were good offensively vs. Utah Tech," said Farler, "but we need to play a cleaner game. There's always one area where we're slipping. We possess speed, power and athleticism, which helps us play at a high level and stay in games. When we're on, we're on."
Junior Riley White is ACU's expected starter vs. the Red Raiders. In some big non-conference games earlier this year, White allowed a combine three earned runs over 8.0 innings in consecutive starts vs. Texas and Virginia Tech. She's also tossed 6.1 shutout innings vs. Dartmouth and scored wins vs. Murray State and Lamar.
Texas Tech (66 RPI) poses yet another major non-conference challenge for the Wildcats, as it comes into tomorrow night boasting an overall record of 25-8 and home mark of 8-2. The Red Raiders posted a 3-1 weekend at No. 22 Maryland, where they split two games with the Terrapins in between wins over Rider and North Dakota.
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