The Wildcats took two of three from Eastern New Mexico last weekend, splitting the first two games Saturday before taking the final game Sunday.
Saturday was Senior Day for the Wildcats, and the seniors certainly showed up. Jenny Kulp went 4-8 through two games and had a double in both games. Nancy Sawyers added a pair of hits, and Caitlin Nabors added an RBI for ACU.
“This is a great senior class, and they have provided good leadership,” said Head Coach Chantiel Wilson. “I always hate for a class to go out on an unsuccessful season, but we talked about all of the lessons we have learned from this season and how they can take those with them after they graduate.”
In the first game, the Wildcats lost their 13th one-run game of the season, losing 3-2. The game was tied at 2-2 when the Zias scored a run in the sixth. ACU could not answer, and the Wildcats dropped the series opener.
“We came out flat, and I think that is why we lost the first game,” Wilson said. “After that, we played with more determination, and we won the next two games.”
ACU bounced back in the second game to run rule the Zias 8-0. The bats for the Wildcats came alive as they scored eight runs, more than enough for Brittany Rexroat, who pitched a three-hit shutout.
Eastern New Mexico struck first in the final game of the series, scoring two runs in the top of the third off a home run by Michelle Anderson. ACU battled back in the fourth, when Missy Mendoza scored a run off a Nancy Sawyers RBI single. The Wildcats completed the comeback in the fifth as a sacrifice fly from Mendoza tied the game. Andi Anti then hit a two-out double to score Nabors and Barrow.
Rexroat starred again, pitching a complete game to lead the Wildcats to a 4-2 victory. Rexroat allowed seven hits and two runs as she picked up her ninth win of the season. She closed out the game after working herself out of trouble in the sixth and seventh. She was able to strand three runners in the sixth and two more in the seventh to hold on to the Wildcat victory.
The Wildcats moved to 5-9 in conference while the Zias fell to 2-12. ACU will conclude the regular season this weekend in Canyon against West Texas A&M. The series will start with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Friday.
