The Wildcats travel to Lawton, Okla. this weekend still looking to win a Lone Star Conference series.
The team begins a four-game set against rival Cameron University with a doubleheader on Friday at 1 p.m. ACU plays a second doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. also.
Head coach Britt Bonneau said the Aggies haven’t changed since the Wildcats played them earlier this season.
“Cameron is still playing .500 ball,” Bonneau said. “We’re both fighting for the same sixth spot in conference so we have to bring the intensity. I think these games are going to be won or lost in the bullpen.”
The ‘Cats are currently 8-8 in the LSC (20-17) which is good enough for fourth place. Cameron is sitting at sixth in the conference with a record of 7-9 (19-19). The top six teams advance to the LSC tournament. Despite playing four conference series this season, ACU has split all of them.
Starting pitcher Aaron Lambrix emphasized how important these four games are.
“Their place is a tough place to play,” he said. “We are looking to win the series to help us get a better seed in conference.”
“Every game from now on is very important,” Lambrix said. “A higher seed will lead to an easier route in the LSC tournament.”
After returning home, the Wildcats play one game versus University of Texas of the Permian Basin on Tuesday. This match-up is set for 3:35 p.m.
Abilene Christian’s most recent series showed two extremes of the team. The Buffaloes of West Texas A&M University shut down the ‘Cat offense in two of four games. However, 24 runs were produced by the club in the other contests.
“When we play good baseball we’re better than anyone out there,” Lambrix said. “We ten run ruled the best team in conference this past weekend.”
As a whole, ACU scored 25 runs and gave up 21 in the series. The team hit .319 and struck out 15 times.
Chuck Duarte and Emmett Niland led the pack offensively. Duarte had six hits in 11 at bats (.545). He drove in two runs. Niland, who played for Rodge Macy because of an injury, was 4 for 9 (.444) with two RBI. Macy was hurt in a collision at the plate with an Eastern New Mexico Player. His return is still unknown.
Right-handed starter Jordan Herrera pitched 7.0 innings in game two allowing two earned runs on six hits. Unfortunately, he was out pitched and received a loss (2-6).
Lambrix (3-3) bull dozed through 6.0 innings in the finale. He gave up three earned runs and punched out four.
CU is batting .293 on the season but opponents are hitting at a .325 clip versus Aggie pitchers.
Brad Blumer is the offensive leader. He has a .381 batting average and has scored 30 runs. Blumer is second on the team in RBI with 21.
Pitching has not been Cameron’s forte this year. The team’s ERA is 5.75.
James Rhodes has been the lone bright spot posting a 5-3 record and a 3.47 ERA. He threw 8.0 strong innings last Thursday in a 7-3 victory against Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
