CLEBURNE, TX – Abilene Christian squared off against Oklahoma State at La Moderna Field but struggled to generate offense, falling 6-0. The Wildcats kept the game within reach early, but a pivotal sixth inning allowed the Cowboys to break it open, handing ACU its fifth loss of the season.
Right-hander Chandler Benson made the start for ACU and worked three innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two. Benson kept the Cowboys off the board through the first two innings before giving up a two-run home run in the third. After a strong start, he was relieved by David Jeon, who turned in a dominant performance, striking out five batters over two hitless innings.
Despite matching Oklahoma State with six hits, ACU failed to capitalize on its scoring opportunities. The Wildcats' best chance to put runs on the board came in the fifth and sixth innings when they put multiple runners on base, but a combination of strikeouts and defensive plays ended the threats.
Diego Cardenas led ACU's offense, going 2-for-4 with a double, while Braden Regala also had a multi-hit night, finishing 2-for-3. Nick Arias and Holden Rook each chipped in a hit, with Rook also reaching base after being hit by a pitch. However, the Wildcats struck out 11 times as a team and left seven runners on base, struggling to find clutch hits.
With the loss, ACU falls to 3-5 on the season and will look to bounce back as they return home for a weekend series at Crutcher Scott against University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Wildcats will face off against the Lions this weekend with a four-game series, with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch on Friday is at 6:05 p.m. (CT).
