CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Abilene Christian opened the 2025 baseball season with a thrilling 10-9 extra-inning victory over Illinois on Friday at Whataburger Field. The Wildcats overcame an early six-run deficit, using a pair of explosive innings and clutch pitching in the late frames to secure the win in their season opener.
Illinois struck first, plating a run in the second and adding two more in the third before a four-run fourth inning put ACU in a 7-1 hole. The Wildcats' offense, held to just one run in the first four innings, broke through in the fifth, igniting a comeback with four runs to cut the deficit to 7-5.
The momentum carried into the sixth when ACU erupted for another four-run inning, flipping the game in their favor with a 9-7 lead. Key hits from Nick Arias, who went 4-for-5 with four RBIs, and Brady Gray, who doubled twice and drove in three runs, powered the Wildcats' offense.
The Fighting Illini responded in the seventh, plating two runs to knot the score at 9-9. Both bullpens held firm in the eighth and ninth innings, forcing extra innings in a tense season-opening battle.
In the top of the 10th, ACU capitalized, Diego Cardenas and Maddox Miesse were both hit by pitches, giving the go ahead to Arias, who was able to secure the lead with a single to the right side. With the game on the line, freshman right-hander Brady Coe delivered in his collegiate debut, tossing a scoreless bottom half to lock down the win. Coe pitched three shutout innings in relief, allowing just two hits while striking out three to earn his first career victory.
Arias led the way for ACU's offense, recording four hits, including two doubles, and driving in four runs. Cardenas added two hits and two RBIs, while Gray's two-run double in the fifth helped spark the Wildcats' comeback. ACU finished with 12 hits, drew nine walks, and took advantage of four hit batters to keep the pressure on Illinois throughout the game.
Starter Dominick Reid battled through 3.1 innings, striking out six but allowing five earned runs. The Wildcats' bullpen held strong, with Chandler Benson and Caden Greanead combining to keep ACU within striking distance before Coe slammed the door with his late-game dominance.
The Wildcats will take on the Fighting Illini once again on Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT). This three-game series highlights the determination of both teams to compete at the highest level. In their season opener, ACU proved their potential by battling hard and taking down the reigning 2024 Big Ten champions.
