ABILENE — The ACU softball team got a much earlier headstart on playing at home than in 2025, but could not turn that into a victory as South Dakota State defeated the Wildcats 12-3 and 8-5 in a Wednesday doubleheader.
Last season ACU played its first 26 games away from Poly Wells Field. This year's squad only had to wait until the sixth game to play on its home turf which features brand new fencing and padding from each dugout and around the outfield.
Game 1: South Dakota State 12, ACU 3 (6 Innings)
The Jackrabbits took an early lead with three runs in the first inning and built a 10-0 advantage into the fifth. There, the Wildcats mounted a response. A pair of freshmen --
Kyana Lipardo and
Ciana Arguijo -- set the stage with a walk and a single, respectively.
Audrey Lacina then delivered a crucial two-RBI single, and
Valerie Ornelas followed by driving in another run, bringing the score to 10-3 after the fifth.
Despite the late offensive push, the Jackrabbits continued to extend their lead and finished ACU with a run-rule win after six innings.
Starter
Lindsey Oliver pitched four innings, allowing six earned runs on six hits, with six walks.
Leah Meyer contributed two innings of relief, giving up three earned runs on three hits.
Arguijo and Valernie Ornelas both went 2-for-3 at the plate.
Game 2: South Dakota State 8, ACU 5
In the second game of the twinbill, Abilene Christian opened the game with a strong start, matching South Dakota State with a run in the first inning.
Valerie Ornelas doubled, and was subsequently brought hom on a single from
Erianna Garcia bringing. Both teams then added runs in the second inning. After
Ari Maxwell's base knock to left center,
Kanon Goji advanced her with a groundout to the pitcher.
Ciana Arguijo then laid out a picture-perfect bunt which forced the Jackrabbits' pitcher to run up and bobble the ball while trying to throw to first. Maxwell was sprinting home the entire way and landed on home plate before a sweeping tag could be applied. That play pulled ACU to a 4-2 deficit.
In the fourth inning, the Wildcats' aggressive base running led to two runs. Maxwell's single and subsequent stolen base allowed her to score on a fielder's choice by
Kyana Lipardo. Goji advanced to third and then scored on the throw on the play.
Jadyn Dawson, a freshman from Plano East Senior High, crushed her first collegiate home run with a solo shot to deep center field in the seventh as part of of a three-hit performance which also included a double.
Maxwell had three hits and scored twice, while Goji, making her first start as a Wildcat, made several impressive defensive plays at third base.
UP NEXT
ACU must regroup quickly as the Wildcats head to play No. 2 Texas on Thursday at 6Â p.m. as part of the Bevo Classic in Austin. It is the first of a five-game weekend for ACU with two games Friday -- 9:30 a.m. against Northern Illinois and 2:30 p.m. against Ohio State -- and another two on Saturday -- 9:30 a.m. vs. Ohio State and 12 p.m. vs. Northern Illinois.
Thursday's ACU-Texas matchup will
be streamed on SEC Network+ with Lincoln Rose and Olympic gold medalist Cat Osterman on the call.
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