Wildcats Play in WAC Tournament on Wednesday

2025 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament 
5) ACU (15-37, 11-13) vs. 8) Utah Valley (15-31, 8-15)
John C. Funk Stadium | RIverside, CA
Wednesday, 3 p.m. CT
Video Stream (ESPN+) | Live Stats | ACU Game Notes | Tournament Central


The Abilene Christian softball team plays its first postseason game in three years with the Wildcats taking on Utah Valley in the opening round of the 2025 WAC Softball Tournament on Wednesday.

ACU did not qualify for the conference tournament in 2023 and 2024. The Wildcats lost both of their games in the 2022 tournament, and were eliminated.

"I'm proud of the team. They've laid the foundation for where this program is going to go in the future," ACU head coach Jo Koons. "Everyone now understands why we played such a tough preseason schedule, and why we'll continue to do so."

The Wildcats only won four of their first 20 games, but started to kick things into high gear when WAC play began. ACU won three consecutive conference series (at Utah Valley; vs. Tarleton State; at California Baptist).

"We are more than prepared. Even against [Grand Canyon], there was nothing they did or their physicality that scared any part of our team because we have played the best-of-the-best in the country."

The Wildcats are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of nationally-ranked GCU. Koons believes playing ACU right before the WAC tournament gives them an advantage of playing the most recent version of the Lopes.

"Only three of our returners have ever been to the conference tournament," ACU head coach Jo Koons said. "As a coach it is a great honor to take them there, and get to experience it all together."

Seniors Miranda Lista, Mckenley Clark, and Isabel Martinez were all freshmen in 2022 when ACU last made the WAC tournament.

Wednesday's single-elimination game between fifth-seeded ACU and No. 8 seed Utah Valley is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. CT from Riverside, Calif. The winner advances to the double elimination portion of the event where No. 4 seed Seattle U awaits later on Wednesday. Every game of the WAC tournament will be streamed on ESPN+.

"It's hard to beat any team three times, and we beat them two-out-of-three [in the regular season]," said Koons. "There's no secrets at this point. It's being able to compete."

ACU has only earned one postseason Division I victory -- the first game of the 2017 National Invitational Softball Championship, also known as the 'NIT of College Softball.'

ACU was picked to finish 8th out of 9 teams in the preseason WAC coaches poll. Instead, the Wildcats finished in a tie for fourth place and earned the No. 5 seed for the conference tournament. Below is a look at the preseason poll and the final WAC standings.


IN THE TOURNEY

• The Wildcats are playing in a conference tournament for the first time since 2022. They have only played in 4 postseason tournaments since moving to Division I for the 2014 season. 
• As a Division II school, ACU went 0-4 in Lone Star Conference Tournament championship games. They did advance to 5 NCAA South Central Regionals.

CLUTCH IN THE CIRCLE

• Lina Russo is a two-time WAC Pitcher of the Week honoree. She was named All-WAC 2nd Team on Tuesday - her first postseason award at ACU. She was the 2022 MAC Freshman of the Year at Ball State.
• Russo has won 6 of her last 9 starts and her 3.19 ERA is the lowest in her two seasons at ACU.
• The Wildcats are playing in a conference tournament for the first time since 2022. They have only played in 4 postseason tournaments since moving to Division I for the 2014 season. 
• As a Division II school, ACU went 0-4 in Lone Star Conference Tournament championship games. They did advance to 5 NCAA South Central Regionals.

CLUTCH IN THE CIRCLE

• Lina Russo is a two-time WAC Pitcher of the Week honoree. She was named All-WAC 2nd Team on Tuesday - her first postseason award at ACU. She was the 2022 MAC Freshman of the Year at Ball State.
• Russo has won 6 of her last 9 starts and her 3.19 ERA is the lowest in her two seasons at ACU.

"