ABILENE – The Abilene Christian Wildcats put together their most dominant performance of the season on Saturday, overpowering Prairie View A&M in a 19-2 rout at Crutcher Scott Field. Behind explosive offense and strong pitching, ACU secured its 10th win of the year and set the stage for a potential series sweep on Sunday.
From the opening inning, the Wildcats took control. After plating two early runs, ACU erupted for six more in the second, capped off by a towering two-run homer from Zandt Payne. The offensive onslaught continued in the fourth when the Wildcats delivered an 11-run inning, their biggest single frame of the season, featuring extra-base hits from Grant Watkins, Jack Nielsen, and Payne.
Payne led the charge with three RBIs, going 2-for-3 with a double and a home run, while Reese Borho also went deep, launching a two-run shot as part of a three-RBI performance. Watkins racked up three RBIs on two doubles, and Braden Regala and Benjamin Greer knocked in multiple runs as ACU's lineup torched the Panthers' pitching staff for nine hits and 16 walks.
On the mound, Brett Lanman was dominant once again, striking out eight across four innings while allowing just two hits and one run. Henry Cone, Nolan Foster, and Stetson Callaway combined for three innings of relief, limiting Prairie View A&M to just one additional run and striking out six more batters.
Cone, with his first appearance of the season, was able to have an immaculate inning, having three strikeouts in 9 pitches.
ACU's aggressive approach at the plate and on the bases paid off, as the Wildcats swiped four bases and capitalized on every opportunity, scoring in double digits for the fourth time this season.
ACU will be back in action on Sunday for a potential sweep of the series. The first pitch will take place at 1:05 p.m. Tickets for the series are still available, as well as season tickets can be found online at tickets.acusports.com.
