After a sweep last weekend of Cameron University, the Abilene Christian softball team was dealt a sweep of their own from Angelo State Tuesday evening.
The Rambelles won both games by scores of 6-2 and 5-1, snapping a three-game win streak. The Wildcats dropped their season and Lone Star Conference records to 24-22 and 8-12.
Defending LSC Player of the Week Madison Buckley played well, alongside Winkfield who had three of the team’s total seven hits in game one, but their offensive efforts were not enough to lead the ‘Cats to victory.
Two solo homers from Rambelle Lauren Smith versus Wildcat starter Caitlyn Crain (11-10) was just part of the Rambelle’s offensive dominance during game one.
“They were tough, but we did not play to our full potential,” Crain said.
The Wildcats seemed to find some drive late in the seventh with two outs when Sara Vaughn made contact for a single, in which pinch runner Ashley Nolan reached home plate cutting the lead to 6-2.
The rally was quickly ceased when Buckley connected on a ground ball back to starter Mary Kate McKay who then made the easy throw to first to end game one.
Freshman Taylor Fitzgerald sought revenge in game two when she belted her third home run of the season, giving the ‘Cats an early 1-0 lead.
ASU’s ace Sandra Serna quickly gained composure after Fitzgerald’s solo shot, ending the game with no mistakes. Serna made sure the ‘Cats didn’t touch home plate as she recorded four strikeouts and three hits throughout. The win gives Serna her 18th victory of the season.
“We just didn’t hit like we should have,” said Lyndi Smith. “The pitcher in game two pitched lights out.”
Wildcat senior Shelby Hall pitched a defensive game until the fourth, when ASU tied the game on a sacrifice fly.
The sixth inning seemed to be a friend to ASU and an enemy of ACU as the Rambelles scored seven of their eleven total runs in the sixth. The Rambelles scored four runs on five hits against Hall and junior Peyton Mosley to end game two 5-1.
The ‘Cats will travel to the desert to begin a three-game series against ninth place conference foe Eastern New Mexico.
