ACU Earns First Win During Doubleheader with New Mexico

Friday, February 20

Abilene

1 p.m.

Abilene Christian

1-11

New Mexico

3-8

New Mexico

Abilene Christian

Elizabeth Schaefer watches a pitch against South Dakota State on February 11, 2026

Photo by: Kaylee Kahn

ACU Earns First Win During Doubleheader with New Mexico

2/20/2026 9:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Elizabeth Schaefer hit a double, triple and home run over the two games.

By: Evan Nemec

ABILENE, Texas — The ACU softball team earned its first victory of the season, defeating New Mexico 7-6 in the first game before losing 13-7 in the second of a home doubleheader Friday afternoon at Poly Wells Field.

The Wildcats (1-12) mounted comebacks in both games, rallying three separate times in the series opener including Ari Maxwell's eventual winning run off a Jadyn Dawson RBI single. Dawson and Elizabeth Schaefer each hit a home run, and each drove in four runs on the day. Maxwell also went deep for the first time this season for ACU.

Game 1: ACU 7, New Mexico 6

Trailing 2-1, ACU went ahead in the third inning when Ciana Arguijo walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Valerie Ornelas. Emerson Meggers, who also walked, scored on a play that ended with Ornelas caught stealing. Meggers achieved a season-high total of 4 bases on balls, showcasing her patience at the plate, and the Wildcats led 3-2 after three innings.

The Wildcats added two more runs in the fourth inning. Audrey Lacina and Taylor Christensen hit back-to-back singles. Elizabeth Schaefer then doubles to right center to drive both home. But, New Mexico responded with four runs in the top half of the fourth to retake the lead 6-5.

In the sixth inning, Schaefer tripled to left field and scored on a single by Kyana Lipardo. Maxwell reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on a single by Jadyn Dawson, regaining the lead for the Wildcats at 7-6 and holding on for their first win of the 2026 campaign.

Leah Meyer pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs, while striking out one and walking four batters. Lindsey Oliver relieved Meyer, pitching 3 1/3 innings without allowing a run, striking out four and walking one. Oliver recorded a season-high total of 4 strikeouts swinging.

Game 2: New Mexico 13, ACU 7

ACU tied a season-high with 11 hits in game two, led by three players with two a piece: Meggers, Dawson and Lacina.

Dawson started with a first-inning, two-run homer to center, pushing the Cats ahead 2-1.

By the third inning, Abilene Christian tied the game at 5-5. Ciana Arguijo scored on a double by Dawson, followed by runs from Elizabeth Schaefer and Lacina. However, despite adding another run in the fourth with Arguijo scoring on a fielder's choice, the Wildcats trailed 9-6 at the end of the inning.

In the seventh inning, Schaefer added a solo home run, but ACU's pitching was roughed up for 20 hits by the Lobos.

Ella Beeman started the second game, pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing seven hits and five earned runs while striking out one. Makayla Valle relieved and pitched a season-high 66 pitches over 2 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, and four earned runs. Leah Meyer closed out with 3 innings of work, allowing eight hits and three earned runs.

Dawson led the team in Game 2 with three RBIs, highlighted by a home run and a double, contributing two runs scored. Schaefer added two RBIs and scored twice, including a home run. Arguijo crossed home plate twice and recorded a stolen base, while Meggers contributed with two hits and one run scored.

UP NEXT

ACU and New Mexico finish their three-game series in Abilene on Saturday at 12 p.m. The rubber match will be video streamed on WAC International. It is free to watch, but fans will need to sign up for an account.