The Wildcats improved to 25-7 in the Lone Star Conference and 38-8 overall with an amazing sweep against the Cameron University Aggies last weekend at Crutcher-Scott Field.
“You always want to put yourself in the situation to win the series, but to get a sweep, that’s almost like taking two games from a team,” said Head Coach Britt Bonneau. “It really separates you in the standings.”
In Game One of the series Friday, the Wildcats got off to a quick lead, scoring one run in the second. Cameron stayed close behind, scoring one run in the top of the fourth to tie the game – but not for long. The Wildcats scored another run in the bottom of the fourth, gaining the lead until Cameron tied it up again in the sixth. Cameron Watten’s RBI from a triple and a single RBI from Aaron Oliver brought the final score to 4-2.
The Wildcats started the second game right, scoring four runs on three hits in the first inning. Zach Sneed pitched for the first six innings, letting the Aggies score only once. Chay Lytle entered the game during the middle of the seventh, giving up no runs. The Wildcats scored one more run in the seventh, and Brad Rutherford came in during the ninth to close the game. The final score was Wildcats five, Aggies one.
“Both teams pitched outstanding this weekend,” Bonneau said. “All four of their pitchers threw complete games. Our pitchers went deep into the ballgame, and then we were able to give the ball over to Rutherford, and he was able to close four straight games for us. When you see games like that and you come out on top, those are special wins; those are big wins for us.”
On Saturday, the Wildcats began their second doubleheader against Cameron. Both teams continued strong defense from Friday. The Wildcats started the game with one run in the first and another in the second. Cameron came back, however, scoring three runs in the third to tie the game 3-3. ACU rallied in the fifth, scoring a run off a sacrifice fly to win the game 5-3. Aaron Lambrix got the win for the Wildcats, pitching six innings, and Rutherford got the save.
Game Two of Saturday’s doubleheader started slow with no runs until Cameron scored two in the fourth. They held the lead for the next three innings, only letting the Wildcats score once in the seventh. In the eighth, with two outs, Luckie smashed the ball to the edge of right field, tripling and getting two RBIs to put the Wildcats in the lead. Rutherford held the Aggies in the ninth, earning his eighth save of the season. The Wildcats narrowly won the game 3-2.
“It feels good to get a separation from everyone in the conference, ” Luckie said. “We’re playing great baseball right now; we’re playing great as a team. As long as we keep playing great as a team and keep getting stronger and stronger, we’ll be good to go.”
Bonneau said the Wildcats are focusing on winning the Lone Star Conference and advancing to the regional tournament.
“Every game is important, and nothing is given to anybody; you have to go out and earn it,” Bonneau said. “We’ve still got a lot to improve on. We’ve got a lot of guys that aren’t batting as well as they are, and we’re still winning games. This team never gives up.”
