The ACU Wildcat softball team will be taking on the Texas Women’s University Pioneers in a three game series at Poly Wells field this weekend with the intention of building on their 14-3 start to the season.
The Wildcats are coming off of a series on the road against Incarnate Word, where they won two out of the three contests in San Antonio to start off conference play. Now ACU will face off against an even tougher test when they square off against the Pioneers.
“We are going up against a tough opponent this weekend, just like every team in the LoneStar Conference,” Head Coach Bobby Reeves said. “There are three phases to this game, and we are going to have to be good at all of them to win.”
Texas Women’s University is entering Abilene on an eight game winning streak, including three dominating performances against Texas-A&M Kingsville last weekend as they opened up conference play at home in Denton.
The Pioneers are dominant at the plate, where they are hitting over .345 and have scored over one hundred twenty runs in their first twenty-one games. Leading the charge for the Texas Women’s offense is Bailey Vrazel, who has an on base percentage of over .500 and has also stolen thirty-two bases without being thrown out one time.
However, the Wildcats may be able to slow down the Pioneer offense with their trio of outstanding pitchers: Caitlyn Crain, Shelby Hall, and Peyton Mosley. These three ladies have combined to pitch every game for the Wildcats, and have posted a microscopic team ERA of 2.31 in the early going.
“We have some of the best pitchers in the LoneStar Conference hands down,” sophomore Kara Stutesman said.
But, the Wildcat bats are also a force to be reckoned with, and the Pioneer pitching staff could be facing the most potent offense they have seen all year when they step into the circle at Poly Wells field.
Lead by Kimberley Briggs and Madison Buckley, the Wildcat offense has posted impressive totals this season. ACU has scored more than three runs in all but four games this season, and their consistent offensive play has put them in a position to win nearly every game they have played this year.
“Hopefully we can have four or five players really hit well and continue to generate offense this weekend,” Reeves said.
The Wildcats will play a double header tonight starting at 5:00 p.m. ACU will finish up their series against the Pioneers Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at Poly Wells field.
