By Austin Gwin, Sports Writer
The Wildcats picked up two critical conference wins Sunday and one Monday against Texas Women’s University at Pioneer Field in Denton to extend their conference record to 5-1 and their overall record to 21-9. ACU beat the Pioneers 5-3 in the first game Sunday and blanked them in the nightcap 5-3. Monday, the Wildcats came from behind to win 7-3.
Pitcher Kim Partin had a big hand in both victories Sunday as she earned the save in the afternoon duel against the Pioneers and got the win in game two.
Partin came into the first game at the start of the sixth inning, after starting pitcher Jacque Gregoire threw five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts to earn her 12th win of the season.
After the strong outing by Gregoire, Partin pitched two scoreless innings for the save, allowing only one hit and striking out three.
In the second game, Partin pitched a complete game shut out, allowing only three hits and recording four strikeouts; Partin totaled nine scoreless innings in a row Sunday.
“[Partin] did an awesome job,” Wilson said. “She has really stepped up for us and not tried to overpower the hitters with her pitching. She’s been very effective.”
Offensively, the Wildcats were led by infielder Melissa Rodriguez and first baseman Katie Cornelison. Rodriguez totaled four hits and two RBI for both Sunday’s games, while Cornelison had three hits and batted three home runs.
On Monday, ACU played the third and final game against the Pioneers. Down 3-2 going into sixth, the Wildcat offense came alive. With two outs, Cornelison singled and pinch runner Genevie Ramirez advanced to second after a single by Nabors. Infielder Brianna Fowlkes followed with an RBI single to tie the game.
The next batter, outfielder Brooke Whittlesey, then hit a two-run double to center field and put the Wildcats up for good. In the seventh, Nabors put two insurance runs on the board after a bases-loaded single. Pitcher Kim White got the win, improving her record to 4-1. With the victory, ACU moves into a tie with Angelo State for the top spot in the conference.
“This early in the season, anything can happen,” Wilson said.
Over the break, ACU was 2-2, losing both to Midwestern State on March 7, before taking two against Incarnate Word on March 10.
In the first win over Incarnate Word, Partin pitched a complete game, and catcher Jessica Shiery finished 3-3 with a home run as the Wildcats run-ruled the Cardinals 10-1. In game two, the Cardinals provided a closer contest, but White pitched a shutout to lead the Wildcats to a 4-0 win. Caitlin Nabors ended up with a game-winning RBI in the bottom of the second inning after singling home second baseman Jackie Gentile.
ACU plays a doubleheader at home Friday against Texas A&M-Kingsville in a Lone Star Conference matchup. Game one starts at 5 p.m., while game two starts at 7 p.m.
