The Wildcats played .500 baseball this past weekend in a four-game non-conference series against East Central University. The series featured 30-plus MPH winds and a game that had 11 walks, five hit batters and five wild pitches.
The 2-2 weekend brought the ‘Cats overall record to 4-4, while ECU was pushed to 4-5 on the season. The squad has split the first two four-game series of the year.
The series opener was a 14-2 blowout for ACU, despite the team only recording six hits. ECU did not help its cause as it had three pitchers combine for 10 walks, five hit batters and three wild pitches. The Tigers also committed two errors.
“If you walk that many people you can’t expect to win,” said senior utility-man Travis Schuetze. “We wanted to make them throw strikes and they just didn’t that game.”
Head coach Britt Bonneau gave his hitters credit for helping add to East Central’s frustration.
“We took walks and we got hits when we had guys on base,” Bonneau said. “It was a combination of their pitchers not throwing strikes and us being disciplined. We also countered with their errors.”
The game only went seven innings as the Wildcats won on the run rule. The team scored five runs in both the second and third innings to separate themselves early.
Infielder Seth Spivey scored four runs from the leadoff spot and outfielder/pitcher Ty Taylor crossed the plate three times. Jordon Herrera tossed another gem to improve to 2-0 on the season. He allowed five hits over six innings and gave up just one earned run.
“We need to keep getting quality starts like that out of our guys,” Bonneau said.
Saturday, the ‘Cats played a double header in 30-plus MPH gusts. The conditions limited the two teams offenses. ECU won the first contest 3-0 and ACU pulled out a 2-1 victory in game two.
The Wildcats had five hits in the first game but stranded 11 runners on base and three errors in the field led to all three Tiger runs.
“Leaving guys on base is heartbreaking in baseball,” Schuetze said. “It hurts even more when they’re in scoring position. That’s something we need to build on as the season progresses.”
In game two, ACU was down 1-0 in the sixth until catcher Rodge Macy drove in two teammates with a two-out single. Schuetze had three hits on Saturday and is batting .455 for the season with four RBI.
Taylor took the mound in game one and Carter Hahn (1-0) toed the rubber in game two. Both pitchers combined to throw 13.0 innings and allowed just one earned run.
The series finale, Sunday, was a 10-5 loss for the team. The Tigers scored five runs in the third inning off of starter Austin Palmer (0-2) which broke a scoreless game. ECU would hold on to the lead until the final out in the ninth.
The Wildcats will be off until Sunday when they take on McMurry at Walt Driggers Field.
