Saturday, February 7
College Station, TX
11:30 a.m.
Abilene Christian
0-5
6
vs
9
Bryant
2-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Bryant
1
0
1
2
0
5
0
9
10
1
ACU
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
6
8
1
Photo by: Kaylee Kahn
ACU Pulls Ahead Early, Can't Hold on in Tournament Finale
2/7/2026 5:05:00 PM | Softball
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The ACU softball team used a three-run first inning to take the lead but could not hold on, losing to Bryant 9-6 in Saturday's Aggie Classic finale at Davis Diamond.
ACU (0-5) scored three runs in the first inning and another three in the seventh, but was unable to overcome a five-run sixth inning by Bryant (2-2).
Junior transfer Emerson Meggers reached base with a walk in the first, setting the stage for ACU. A fielding error allowed Ari Maxwell to reach base, and Valerie Ornelas capitalized with a single up the middle, driving in both teammates. Jadyn Dawson added a sacrifice fly to push ACU ahead, leading 3–1 after the first.
In the seventh inning, Taylor Christensen drew a walk and Kyana Lipardo doubled, putting two runners in scoring position. Meggers then delivered a critical three-run homer to left center, narrowing the deficit. Despite the late surge, Bryant's earlier five-run sixth inning secured their lead, resulting in a 9–6 victory for Bryant.
The game capped a great opening weekend as a Wildcat for Meggers, who's five hits were all for extra bases -- two doubles, two triples and the home run.
Ella Beeman started for the Wildcats and pitched 4 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs, with 2 of those earned. Makayla Valle provided relief work, pitching 1 inning and giving up 2 runs on 1 hit with 2 walks and 1 strikeout. Lindsey Oliver faced challenges in her 2/3 inning, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and issuing 3 walks, while Leah Meyer closed the game with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, not allowing a hit or walk and striking out 1.
UP NEXT
ACU has its home opener on Wednesday as the Wildcats welcome South Dakota State to Poly Wells Field for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
Both games are scheduled to be streamed for free on WAC International.
ACU (0-5) scored three runs in the first inning and another three in the seventh, but was unable to overcome a five-run sixth inning by Bryant (2-2).
Junior transfer Emerson Meggers reached base with a walk in the first, setting the stage for ACU. A fielding error allowed Ari Maxwell to reach base, and Valerie Ornelas capitalized with a single up the middle, driving in both teammates. Jadyn Dawson added a sacrifice fly to push ACU ahead, leading 3–1 after the first.
In the seventh inning, Taylor Christensen drew a walk and Kyana Lipardo doubled, putting two runners in scoring position. Meggers then delivered a critical three-run homer to left center, narrowing the deficit. Despite the late surge, Bryant's earlier five-run sixth inning secured their lead, resulting in a 9–6 victory for Bryant.
The game capped a great opening weekend as a Wildcat for Meggers, who's five hits were all for extra bases -- two doubles, two triples and the home run.
Ella Beeman started for the Wildcats and pitched 4 innings, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs, with 2 of those earned. Makayla Valle provided relief work, pitching 1 inning and giving up 2 runs on 1 hit with 2 walks and 1 strikeout. Lindsey Oliver faced challenges in her 2/3 inning, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and issuing 3 walks, while Leah Meyer closed the game with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, not allowing a hit or walk and striking out 1.
UP NEXT
ACU has its home opener on Wednesday as the Wildcats welcome South Dakota State to Poly Wells Field for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
Both games are scheduled to be streamed for free on WAC International.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: POWELL (1-0)
L: Beeman, Ella (0-3)
Batting:
2B: LEE 1
HR: GESUALDO 1
RBI: GESUALDO 3 ; THOMPSON 2 ; CLENDENIN 1 ; JENKS 1
SF: THOMPSON 1
Base Running:
RUNS: LEE 2 ; GESUALDO 1 ; LEWIS 1 ; THOMPSON 1 ; WEST 1 ; JENKS 2 ; WILLIAMS 1
SB: GESUALDO 1 ; WILLIAMS 2
CS: KOLENKO 1
HBP: KOLENKO 1
Batting:
2B: Meggers, Emerson 1 ; Romero, Emalee 1 ; Lipardo, Kyana 1
3B: Meggers, Emerson 1
HR: Meggers, Emerson 1
RBI: Meggers, Emerson 3 ; Ornelas, Valerie 2 ; Dawson, Jadyn 1
SH: Maxwell, Ari 1
SF: Dawson, Jadyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Meggers, Emerson 2 ; Maxwell, Ari 1 ; Ornelas, Valerie 1 ; Christensen, Taylor 1 ; Lipardo, Kyana 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
2
H
3
RBI
3
c/dh
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Softball
P/UTL
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballC
/ Softball
RHP
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