Back above .500, Wildcats start division play: ACU plays four at Tarleton State

By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor

With a sweep over New Mexico Highlands Tuesday, the softball team moved back over .500 just in time to kick off Lone Star Conference South Division play at Tarleton State this weekend.

ACU knocked off Highlands at Wells Field 4-0 in the first game and 3-0 in the nightcap to increase its record to 16-15. Freshman Heather Cochran pitched the victory in the first game, while junior Christina Yorkey and freshman Shauna Bragg combined for the shutout in game two, with Bragg taking the win.

Senior third baseman J.D. Williams helped the offensive attack in the first game with a second inning solo home run.

“They did a great job,” head coach Carol Tabor said. “I was so proud of them. It was nothing anyone was really surprised about; it was something we knew we had to get done.”

Tabor said she saw a drastic improvement in team defense in the doubleheader.

“We were wanting to eliminate routine errors, and we were flawless in both games,” she said. “Our defense didn’t let anyone score. The pressure’s been on our pitchers, and they’ve performed well.”

The Wildcats will try to carry their success from Tuesday on to their four-game LSC South opening series against an emotional Tarleton State team Friday and Saturday. The Texanns have been successful this season, sporting an 18-11 record for fourth place in the tough LSC South. They are second in the conference in team batting, with a .306 average, and are fourth in team pitching, with a combined 1.91 ERA.

“When I think of Tarleton, I think of emotion,” Tabor said. “They’re always cheering, yelling, they’re constantly verbal. They’re always a great opponent and it’s gonna be a great weekend. We’re excited to go down there.”

As the Cats prepare for their 20-game division schedule, Tabor said they are confident about how they will compete with LSC South foes.

“We’re gonna win,” she said. “It is a fight in our conference, and we’re ready to go. Our expectation is to win in the South zone. It’ll be interesting, but we’re very confident we’ll come out successful.”