ABILENE - Abilene Christian baseball dropped its series-opening matchup with Tarleton State, 11-0, in seven innings at Crutcher Scott Field at Bullock Brothers Ballpark on Friday. The Wildcats dropped their fourth game in a row and are in fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings at 11-8.
Junior right-handed pitcher
Cade McGarrh was saddled with the loss after allowing six runs through four innings. He surrendered four hits and issued four walks while striking out five batters. RHP Brian Panneton earned the win with 5 1/3 scoreless frames, allowing four hits and three walks with five punchouts.
ACU designated hitter
Diego Cardenas reached base three times with a single and a walk before being hit by a pitch in the sixth inning, forcing him to leave the game. Catcher
Maddox Miesse also singled and worked a walk.
First baseman Trace Morrison and left fielder Rayner Heinrich powered the Texans' offense in combining for nine runs batted in and three home runs. Heinrich, center fielder Lane Brewster and shortstop Ike Shirey collected two hits apiece.
The Texans struck early and often with a six-run second inning. They scored twice behind an RBI fielder's choice and an RBI single before Morrison blasted a two-out grand slam to center field.
Tarleton State strengthened its lead to 9-0 in the sixth with a three-run blast by left fielder Rayner Heinrich that snuck inside the right-field foul pole. Heinrich collected his second long ball of the night in the seventh inning, knocking out a two-run shot that pushed the Texans ahead, 11-0.
The Wildcats look to even the series at 3:05 p.m. Saturday at Crutcher Scott Field at Bullock Brothers Ballpark. It's Senior Day, presented by United Supermarkets, with 11 ACU seniors being recognized in a pregame ceremony.
