Wildcat softball continued its struggles this weekend as they traveled to Huntsville facing the Bearkats of Sam Houston State. ACU was swept in the three-game series including two double-digit losses to the Bearkats.
Friday afternoon featured a double-header between the two conference foes, the first of those games lasting only five innings.
The Wildcats fell 10-0 in just five innings to Sam Houston State with Samantha Bradley at the circle for ACU.
Bradley finished the day allowing nine hits and 10 runs in just four innings pitched. With that loss, she fell to 3-16 on the season. Bats broke for the Bearkats with three early runs in the first and a six-run fourth inning to end the game in a run-rule win.
The final game on Friday had the Wildcats and Sam Houston State in a battle that was uncontested until the top of the sixth.
ACU had been held scoreless throughout the first five innings with only three hits. But after two walks and a HPB to junior designated hitter Blair Clayton, the Wildcats set up a grand slam from sophomore catcher Kayla Keeling.
Keeling was a perfect 3-3 during the matchup hitting her sixth home run of the season. However, it wasn’t enough as ACU fell 5-4 Friday night.
Saturday certainly could have gone better as the Wildcats were shut out for the second day in a row. The 9-0 matchup featured a seven-run second inning from the Bearkats.
Sophomore pitcher Calie Burris was relieved from the circle following 1.1 innings allowing six runs. The Wildcats also struggled on offense with just one hit on the day from third baseman sophomore Katelyn Belch.
With these three losses, the Wildcats’ losing streak moves to eight in a row. With only nine games left in conference play and trailing five games from the final spot in the conference tournament, they’ll need to make changes fast.
Up next, the Wildcats look to end their losing streak.Tuesday they travel to Denton looking for the season sweep against the Mean Green of North Texas. ACU shut down UNT back at home in March, 9-1 in just five innings.
Meanwhile, Sam Houston now sits just one game back from first place in the conference. They’ll take on TXAM-CC this weekend for a three-game series starting at 1 p.m. Friday.
