By Brian Roe, Sports Writer
The Wildcats swept a two-game, non-conference series against Panhandle State Monday at Wells Field in Abilene. ACU, now winners in six of its last seven games, improves to 16-24 on the season.
ACU was led by freshman pitcher Allison Crouse, who did the job from the pitcher’s circle and from the batter’s box. Crouse tossed a seven inning shut-out, striking out four and walking two while improving her record to 4-4.
Crouse also led the way on offense knocking a pair of RBI singles and providing the only offense of the game for the Wildcats in the 2-0 victory.
“Allison has done a great job for us this year,” said head coach Chantiel Wilson. “She does so many things whether it’s pitching or hitting that helps our team win.”
In game two, sophomore pitcher Heather Cochran picked up her sixth win of the season, scattering seven hits and allowing only a single run.
Junior infielder Katie Bryan contributed a solo home run and junior infielder Valerie Malkinson added a two-run shot to propel the Wildcats to victory, 6-1. Crouse also added an RBI single in game two.
Bryan and Malkinson have combined for more than half of the team’s RBI this season. Bryan leads in the team in both home runs (12) and RBI (48). Both sluggers own a batting average over .400 and an on-base percentage over .450.
Crouse and Cochran lead the way from the pitcher’s circle for ACU with four wins and six wins respectively. Crouse is the only ACU pitcher with an ERA under the four mark.
Monday offered the final home game of the season for ACU, which plays its final eight games away from Wells Field.
The Wildcats will play a conference doubleheader this Friday in Denton against Texas Woman’s University and then close the season in San Angelo against conference-rival Angelo State on April 23-24.
