The Wildcats are coming off one of their best starts to conference play as they enter this weekend’s series against the University of the Incarnate Word.
ACU was able to sweep Eastern New Mexico University on the road and then take two of three from West Texas A&M University to start Lone Star Conference play with a 5-1 conference record.
The Wildcats will play a three game series against the Cardinals of Incarnate Word this weekend and a double header Friday evening, concluding that series on Saturday afternoon.
“To be 5-1 in conference, and taking two of three from WT, the No. 10 team in the nation, felt pretty good,” Coach Bobby Reeves said. “Incarnate Word is a good team though, they took two of three from WT as well and played well in all three games against No. 1-ranked Angelo State and even won one of the three. ”
ACU has been led by Melissa Mendoza, who has been hitting the cover off the ball. Last weekend she hit .667, going 10-15 at the plate. She had seven RBIs hitting three doubles and a home run. Mendoza leads ACU in hits with 52, runs scored with 33, and she is tied for first in RBIs with 22. Mendoza, overall for the season, is batting an astounding .427 for the Wildcats. Mendoza was named the Lone Star Conference’s hitter of the week for her efforts at the plate last weekend.
ACU’s offense has carried the ‘Cats, so far, in LSC play. ACU is averaging more than 10 runs a game in conference play, including a game in which they were shut out in 5-0.
“We have hit the ball pretty well that is probably our biggest strength so far,” Brianna Fowlkes said. “We just try to get something started, and when you put the ball in play anything can happen.”
ACU currently sits at the top of the conference at 5-1, tied with Angelo State University. The Cardinals enter the series with a 3-3 record. Incarnate Word took two of three against WT, before losing two of three against Angelo State last weekend. The Cardinals are 16-13 overall this season, while the Wildcats are 19-14 overall.
“They have a good pitcher who can throw about 66 or 67, which is really hard for our game,” Reeves said. “We have been working on making adjustments for that this weekend, so we will be ready.”
The weekend’s series starts at 5 p.m. Friday night, with the second game at 7 p.m. ACU and Incarnate Word will conclude their series at 1 p.m. on Saturday. All games will be played at home for the Wildcats at Wells Field.
