Neilsen wins 9th game on Alani's walkoff double

ABILENE - Talia Nielsen won her third straight start and ninth game of the season behind several clutch Wildcat moments, the last of which was a two-out walkoff double by Shaylee Alani that carried Abilene Christian softball to a thrilling 2-1 win over SFA Friday night at Poly Wells Field.

Nielsen, who tossed her ninth complete game with 3 Ks, took a shutout into seventh inning despite flirting with disaster in three previous innings.

In the second with one out and runner at third base, Nielsen induced a ground ball to Avery Miloch who instantly ran down a startled Mackenzie Bennett.
 

Gotcha!@averymiloch_ with the heads-up tag at 3B

We're scoreless#GoWildcats | #TearEmUp😼 pic.twitter.com/ZgitfVhG8a

— ACU Softball (@ACU_Softball) April 21, 2023

Then in the third inning, center fielder Mercedes Eichelberger saved a run by a snaring a sinking line drive off the bat of Gaby Garcia.

SFA threatened again in the fifth, putting two in scoring position with two outs. But Nielsen got Lexi Benson to fly out to deep right field and Emma Rote.

The 'Jacks were fairly quiet in the sixth and were down to their last out in the seventh when they tied the score at 1-1.

With a runner on base via error, leadoff batter Camryn Middlebrook worked an 11-pitch walk and then Benson slapped the first pitch she saw into center field, scoring Sydney Carithers.

Garcia was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Nielsen got her 13th and final fly out to Rote again in right field.

The game appeared destined for extra innings as SFA starter Brooke Gainos continued to fluster the Wildcats for the third consecutive inning.

Since the Wildcats had scored their first run in the fourth, Gainos bounced back to retire the next 10 batters before walking Catrin Hoffman with two outs. She then quickly fell behind Miranda Lista who drew a five-pitch walk.

Alani took the first two pitches out of the strike zone before connecting on a shot that drifted over the head and glove of right fielder Mikaela Burkland.

Scoring on the hit was pinch runner McKenley Clark.
 

Walkoff into the sunset

PH @shayleealanii with the GW double

Wildcats win, 2-1

SFA series continues Saturday at noon with Senior Day#GoWildcats | #TearEmUp 😼 pic.twitter.com/lCxSsbgMvc

— ACU Softball (@ACU_Softball) April 22, 2023

ACU, which left the bases loaded in the first, broke the scoreless deadlock in the fourth on back-to-back hits by Rote and Sammie Shelander.

Rote doubled to begin the frame, pushing her hitting streak to a 13th game. Shelander today went 2-for-3 and lifted her team-leading batting average to an impressive .348.

The Wildcats and 'Jacks continue their series Saturday with a noon doubleheader that will be preceded by a Senior Day ceremony honoring Eichelberger and Laurén Schiek.