The softball team will head to Austin this weekend for the Texas Invitational to play the University of Texas (10-0), the University of Illinois (5-4), the University of Tulsa (8-2) and Weber State University (7-4).
The Wildcats currently stand at 2-7 after gaining two wins on the road last weekend. They broke their losing streak by winning 3-1 against Belmont University, as freshman Allison Turner pitched a complete game with three strikeouts. Junior Taylor Brown hit her first collegiate homer in the third inning, while freshman Donelle Johnson and sophomore Peyton Hedrick scored one run each.
“We finished our games with all aspects of the games,” said assistant coach Heather Barton. “It wasn’t just pitching, it wasn’t just hitting, we had all three aspects of the games there. Sometimes whenever we don’t win–those last games that we lost were because one thing was lacking, whether it was hitting, pitching, or defense. In the games that we won, we had all three there.”
Redshirt sophomore Hannah Null pitched a complete 7.0-inning shut-out against Mississippi Valley State, with nine strikeouts and no walks which helped the team to a 7-0 win. Six ACU players scored runs, including a two-run homerun by sophomore Holly Neese.
“To get my first win of the season felt great but I know that we’re going to improve even more this weekend,” Null said. “The first couple wins of a season are crucial so now we know what winning feels like and want to continue. ”
Null also added the team needs to improve their offense to make hitting their hot spot.
The Longhorn Network will broadcast ACU’s second game of the tournament this weekend against Texas Friday at 12 p.m.
“They’re going to be tough games and we’ve already told the girls they’re going to be tough games,” Barton said. “They’re great teams, but do we go into those games expecting to win? Yes. If you look at their record right now, I mean Texas is 10-0 right now but they go in knowing that they can beat them. At any day, anyone can be beat. So we expect to win even though it’s going to be a tough schedule.”
