The Wildcats swept the East Central Tigers in a four-game series at Crutcher Scott Field this weekend.
The ‘Cats beat the Tigers 5-3 in the first game Friday. In the sixth inning, shortstop Willie Uechi got his 282nd hit to break the record for the most career hits at ACU and in Lone Star Conference history. Uechi said he had hoped he would break the record soon.
“I want to thank God for giving me the chance to play and for the way he’s made everything turn out,” Uechi said. “It was good to get it over with so I can focus on our team goals of winning the LSC and going to regionals and then on to the World Series.”
The second game of the doubleheader started slowly, but in the fifth inning, second baseman Chris Hall smashed the ball over the left field fence for a two-run home run. The Wildcats scored two more runs in the sixth inning and seven more in the seventh inning, beating ECU via the run rule.
Head Coach Britt Bonneau said it is hard to get hits when the wind is blowing, but his team made some adjustments and was able to have a big eighth inning.
On Saturday, the Wildcats played another doubleheader. During the first game, Aaron Lambrix pitched a complete game, giving up only two runs in the first inning to give the Tigers an early lead. In the second inning, left fielder Cameron Bankston hit his first home run of the season to tie the game.
“It’s exciting,” Bankston said. “It’s good to join the big boy group.”
The Wildcats continued to score, winning the game 9-2.
During the final game of the series, Will Calhoun pitched the first seven innings, holding ECU scoreless, and in the third inning, first baseman Bret Bochsler hit a three-run home run. The Wildcats won the game 10-0, again via the run rule.
Bonneau said strong pitching and hitting led to the wins.
“This was a great sweep for us,” Bonneau said. “Lambrix was the first complete pitching we’ve had in a while.”
The Wildcats will play Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant, Okla., next weekend; Bonneau said despite large crowds at Southeastern, the ‘Cats should do well.
“Year after year, we seem to battle with those guys,” Bonneau said. “We just have to be prepared and go in with a good mindset, and we’ll be all right.”
