Britt's ninth-inning two-run triple wins it at UTRGV

EDINBURG, Texas – Logan Britt drove in a pair of runs with a triple in the top of the ninth inning with two outs to put the ACU baseball team in front, and Adam Stephenson pitched a 1-2-3 bottom half to secure a 4-2 victory over UTRGV to open a three-game series. The Wildcats (25-12, 10-6 WAC) took a 2-1 lead in the second inning, the Vaqueros (20-16, 7-9 WAC) tied it up in the third, and there was no scoring until the ninth in a game that started an hour late due to bad weather. Tyler Morgan was tremendous in the start, pitching six strong innings, while Stephenson got the win, tossing the final three frames. ACU takes the opener, and the teams will now wrap up the series on Saturday with a schedule-changed doubleheader that begins at 3 p.m.

How It Happened
- The Vaqueros got off to a 1-0 start Friday with a double from Brandon Pimentel in the first inning. It marked the fifth-straight game ACU gave up a run in the first inning.
- The 'Cats responded in the top of the second inning. Eric Martin and Maddox Miesse reached to lead off the frame and Jack Nielsen followed with a sacrifice bunt to move both runners over to second and third with one out. After Crew Parke flew out, Garrett Williams singled in both runners to put ACU in front, 2-1.
- UTRGV evened the game in the home third with an rbi-groundout from Roberto Gonzalez. The game was tied, and it would be all the way to the ninth.
- ACU left five runners on base from the fourth to the eighth inning, but would take advantage in the ninth. Nielsen led the ninth off with a walk, and two batters later, Williams drew a base on balls to put runners on first and second with one out. After Miller Ladusau flew out to left, Britt stepped into the high-pressure situation. The junior delivered with a triple into right center field to score both runners and put ACU in front, 4-2. Stephenson pitched a 1-2-3 bottom half to close the door and win the game for ACU.

Stat Pack
- Britt and Ladusau each tallied a team-high two hits, while Britt and Williams led the way with two rbi each.
- Britt reached base four times in the game with his two hits and a pair of walks.
- Morgan got the no-decision, but did have a quality start, throwing six innings allowing two runs on seven hits with 10 strikeouts.
- Stephenson threw the final three innings, earning the win (2-1), allowing no runs on no hits with seven strikeouts. The veteran pitchers dominated the game Friday night.

Beyond the Box Score
- Morgan tallied his fourth quality start of the season, the most on the staff. He also put together his third game this season with a double-digit strikeout total.
- Friday was ACU's first win of the season when the game was tied after eight innings.
- ACU had been outscored 24-11 in the ninth inning this season, but outscored UTRGV 2-0 in the final inning Friday night.
- Friday night marked the first game this season for ACU that the hit totals were the same for each team.
- ACU is now 9-5 this season when it does not hit a home run in a game.

On Deck
- Due to bad weather in the forecast on Sunday, the teams will now get together for a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. Game two of the DH is scheduled for approximately 45 minutes after game one, or tentatively at 6:30 p.m. Both games will air on ESPN+.