ACU Loses at Texas Tech, Back Home Friday and Saturday

LUBBOCK, Texas – The ACU softball team suffered a 9-0 setback in 5 innings against No. 11 Texas Tech on Tuesday evening.
 
The Wildcats (15-34, 11-10) surrendered five runs in the third inning as the Red Raiders hit an RBI single, RBI double, and a 2-run home run in succession. Texas Tech (40-11, 18-3) also scored twice in the second and fourth innings.
 
Catrin Hoffman continued her recent success at the plate by singling through the right side in the first inning. She now has seven hits in the past five games.
 
Ari Maxwell was 2-for-2 on the day, and led-off the fifth with a double to left centerfield. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Roo Stone. But, pinch hitter Rachel Cook smacked a low line drive right at Tech first baseman NiJaree Canady for the game's final out.
 
Taylor Bachmeyer's 11-game hitting streak – the longest for a Wildcat player this year -- came to an end as ACU's leadoff hitter went 0-for-2, but she made an impressive running grab in foul territory in right field to end the fourth inning.
 
Starter Chase Mueller took the loss in the circle for the Wildcats. It was her first pitching appearance since an April 4 start at Utah Valley. Taylor Haywood came on in relief for the fourth inning and gave up two runs – one of which was unearned.
 
Junior Elizabeth Schaefer drew one walk to give her 25 for the season. That is the second most in a single-season in ACU's Division I era behind Callie Burris' 34 walks in 2022.
 
ACU returns to action for the final home games of the season on Friday and Saturday against another nationally ranked team -- No. 24 Grand Canyon. The Wildcats play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 2 p.m., and Saturday's regular season finale starts at 12 p.m.
 
A ceremony for ACU's eight seniors will take place following Saturday's game at Poly Wells Field.