Back-And-Forth Loss Ends Season for ACU Softball

Saturday, May 2

St. George, UT

1 p.m. (CT)

Abilene Christian

7-41, 4-14

Utah Tech

18-32, 5-13

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Abilene Christian	1	1	1	0	4	1	0	8	17	1
Utah Tech	0	0	2	2	2	3	X	9	14	0

ACU softball team huddles up before a game against California Baptist on April 25, 2026

Back-And-Forth Loss Ends Season for ACU Softball

5/2/2026 4:06:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Evan Nemec

ST. GEORGE, Utah — The Abilene Christian softball team gained the lead twice, but could not hold on in a 9-8 loss to Utah Tech on Saturday, ending the Wildcats' 2026 season.

ACU cranked out 17 hits, its second-highest single-game total this year, and had at least five doubles for the second consecutive game, but the Trailblazers secured the win with a 3-run sixth inning.

Abilene Christian took an early lead in the first inning with Elizabeth Schaefer's double to left center, driving in Ari Maxwell, who would go on to score a season-high three times. The Cats added to their lead in the second with an Emmerson Meggers double to left center, followed by an Emalee Romero RBI double to go up 2-0.

The third inning saw Audrey Lacina's double to left center drive in Maxwell to take a 3-0 lead. Lacina's hitting streak jumped to 10 straight games as she recorded at least two hits in each game of the series in St. George.

Utah Tech took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run homer by Naya Taylor. But the Wildcats only trailed until they could get at bat again. In the top of the fifth, Schaefer again blasted an RBI double to plate Maxwell. Lacina singled to knock in Schaefer, followed by back-to-back RBI singles from Jadyn Dawon and Emalee Romero, putting ACU ahead 7-4. Dawson recorded her first career 3-hit game with two runs batted in.

After the Trailblazers scored twice to pull within a run, Dawson came through again with a two-out single up the middle to bring Schaefer home. The Wildcats held an 8-6 edge, but ended up tied thanks to three consecutive hits: a single, triple and double. With the bases loaded and one out, ACU pulled pitcher Alissa Snipes in favor of Ella Beeman. But Utah Tech's Baylee Howley battled through a 7-pitch at-bat to draw a walk and go ahead 9-8.

ACU's batting went down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh to end the game.

Leah Meyer started on the mound for the Wildcats, pitching 3 1/3 innings while allowing seven hits and three earned runs with one walk. Makayla Valle relieved Meyer, giving up three hits and two earned runs in one inning of work. Snipes pitched one inning, conceding four hits and three earned runs, while also walking one batter and recording a wild pitch. Ella Beeman closed the game, pitching the final 2/3 of the sixth inning.

The Wildcats' season ends with a 7-41 mark, as a heavy-underclassman team learned how to navigate the ups and downs of college softball. The roster featured 15 newcomers, including eight freshmen, to go along with just four seniors.