Cats Turned Aside Thursday at Aggie Classic

COLLEGE STATION – The ACU softball team dropped its season-opening pair of games on Thursday in the Aggie Classic, hosted by Texas A&M.
 
Game 1: Utah State 8, ACU 0 (6 Innings)

The Wildcats started the season with a pitcher's duel through three innings. Ella Beeman started in the circle for ACU and retired eight of her first 11 batters faced. With no score in the fourth, Utah State got on the board with a 2-run home run to left but Beeman regrouped to fire her third and final strikeout of the day.
 
Beeman allowed eight hits and three earned runs over 4.2 innings of work. Lindsey Oliver, a transfer from Weatherford College, pitched the final inning in relief with four walks and four earned runs.
 
ACU's hitters were stymied with a lone single on a bunt by left fielder Ciana Arguijo.
 
Head coach Jo Koons went with six newcomers in the startling lineup, including four true freshmen – Ciana Arguijo in left field, Kyana Lipardo at third base, Savannah Crocker at shortstop and Jadyn Dawson as the designated player.
 
Game 2: #11 Texas A&M 8, ACU 0 (6 Innings)

The highlight of game two came early on as Texas A&M's hit to center field was gathered by ACU sophomore Ari Maxwell, who fired home to catcher Audrey Lacina who tagged the runner coming around from second before her foot touched the plate. The Aggie coaching staff challenged the call, but after replay the umpires ruled the call was confirmed as an out.
 
After allowing a run in each of the first two innings, it appeared the ACU defense settled in against the No. 11 Aggies, who won 48 games in 2025.
 
Cats pitcher Leah Meyer, a junior college All-American at Florida SouthWestern State, escaped with no damage done even though Texas A&M put a runner in scoring position in the third and fourth innings.
 
The Aggies scored four runs in the fifth behind a two-run home run, an RBI double and a steal of home plate. ACU first baseman Elizabeth Schaefer provided a two-out double down the right field line in the top of the sixth, but Valerie Ornelas struck out for the third out.
 
The Aggies finished the game off with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame as Makayla Valle came on to pitch for the final five batters.
 
Meyer allowed six runs over 103 pitches in 4.2 innings.
 
 
UP NEXT
 
ACU plays another two games in the Aggie Classic on Friday – first against Bryant at 11:30 a.m., and then Utah State at 4:30 p.m.