EUGENE, Oregon - Each of the past four times the ACU softball team has faced a nationally ranked opponent this season, the Wildcats have stood up to the test for at least the early innings. Sunday's match at No. 12 Oregon was no different.
ACU held the Ducks to four hits and only allowed one earned run in a 3-1 loss in the Jane Sanders Classic.
It was the latest in the Wildcats' trend of strong play against the country's top teams. During the season's opening weekend, ACU lost 1-0 to No. 7 Texas A&M. In late February the Wildcats took early leads over No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 1 Texas before the perennial powerhouses took over.
On Sunday, starting pitcher
Lina Russo threw 6 solid innings where her only earned run surrendered was a solo home run in the 5th inning. Russo struck out three Oregon batters and forced 14 combined fly outs and ground outs.
Down 3-0 with two outs in the top of the 7th inning,
Miranda Lista doubled to left field.
Emalee Romero followed with a long fly to left-center where two Oregon outfielders went for the catch and the ball rolled away.
Lista scored to make the score 3-1, and Romero advanced to third base. Representing the tying run at the plate,
Taylor Bachmeyer pulled a fading liner to left where the Ducks' Kai Luschar made an impressive, diving snag to end the game.
ACU began Sunday with a 9-0 loss against Oregon State. Lisa recorded two singles in the defeat.
The Wildcats conclude their six-game road trip in the Pacific Northwest on Monday with another contest versus No. 12 Oregon. First pitch from Eugene's Jane Sanders Stadium is at 12:30 p.m. CT (10:30 a.m. local time).
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