By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer

The ACU baseball team is preparing for a Lone Star Conference South Division matchup this weekend as the Buffaloes of West Texas A&M head to Abilene to take on the Wildcats in a three-game series starting Friday at Crutcher Scott Field.

The Wild-cats, 18-8 overall and 7-4 in LSC South play, have dropped three of their last four games entering Tues-day’s home game against Dallas Baptist.

Senior third baseman Brad Massey said the Wildcats have reason to be exhausted at this point in the season.

“We’ve been on a long road trip,” Massey said of the nine games from March 7-15. “We started out the season strong, but three or four of us were slumping at the same time recently.”

Senior second baseman Beau Bimson said he is eager to take on the Buffaloes at home.

“I think West Texas is going to give us a fight,” said Bimson, who leads the team with a .429 batting average. “For some reason, when they play us they play well, but we have a lot more confidence playing at home.”

The Wildcats have dropped from an early season of third in the country to 19th in the most recent Collegiate Baseball magazine poll, their lowest ranking since April 1, 2002.

Massey said the Wildcats have had struggled to play as a complete unit this season.

“We haven’t put our defense, pitching and hitting together yet this season,” Massey said. “We’re still trying to think positive because there are plenty of games left in the season.”

Senior outfielder/designated hitter Marcelino Escalante earned the LSC South hitter-of-the-week honor last week after hitting .555 with three RBI, five doubles and a game-winning home run in a 6-5 victory over California, Pa.