The ACU softball team welcomed Stephen F. Austin this weekend in what was a jam-packed three days of Wildcat athletics.
Coming off of what was a seemingly easy two-game sweep of neighbors Hardin Simmons, the Wildcats were ready to attempt the same with the Ladyjacks.
SFA would come out swinging for the fences in game one. The Ladyjacks bats would shoot off four home runs in game one, and drive in 12 runs to the plate on a total of 13 hits. The Wildcats would fall in game one, 12-4 in six innings.
The Wildcat offense came alive in the following game, with both teams combining for 27 runs on 36 hits. Freshman infielder Peyton Hedrick continued her impressive hitting this season, as she went four-for-four and had two home runs, three runs, and four RBI on the night.
ACU trailed 2-1 heading into the top of the fifth inning. On the strength a double, triple and a home run, the Lakyjacks hung a nine spot on the Wildcats, taking an 11-1 lead. The hometown ‘Cats would respond with an eight-run fifth inning to cut the deficit back down to 11-9.
SFA would tack on three more runs in the seventh thanks to a three-run homer to right center field that would extend their lead. ACU drove in three runs on two home runs in the bottom half of the inning. With a runner on first and two outs, ACU was unable to bring the tying run home, and fell in game two, 14-13.
The Ladyjacks would answer though, slamming a three-run homer to right center that would extend their lead.
Saturday would see the final game of the series, with SFA looking for their first conference sweep of the year.
ACU would start off down a run in the first but would quickly take the lead off a two-run single by Bishoff. Once again, SFA would answer soon after to tie the score at 2-2 in the second.
The rally would begin then with sophomore outfielder, Taylor Brown and Hedrick both reaching bases on a walk and error. This would be the preview for freshman infielder, Holly Neese’s three-run bomb that would put the ‘Cats up 6-2.
SFA was down to its final out of the sixth inning, trailing the ‘Cats 7-5, when catcher for the Ladyjacks, Taylor Fraccastoro hit a three-run homer over the wall. This would prove too much for ACU and Guffey would close the game for SFA 14-7.
This sweep pushes the ‘Cats to 3-15 in conference play and a dismal 9-29 overall.
ACU will hit the road and head to Huntsville to play Sam Houston State in a three game series. First pitch will be Friday at 3 p.m.
