Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / Late pitching difficulties highlights rough week for baseball
Junior outfielder Grayson Tatrow catches a fly ball.(Photo by Meghan Long)

Late pitching difficulties highlights rough week for baseball

March 29, 2022 by Kauy Ostlien Leave a Comment

This past week, baseball continued its season with a single-game homestand versus TCU and a three-game conference matchup versus Tarleton.

It was a tough weekend with a seven-inning run-rule loss versus No. 19 TCU on Tuesday and close losses in games one and two versus Tarleton.

The Horned Frogs came to town with hot bats coming off a series win versus Baylor in Waco on Tuesday. TCU managed to bat through the lineup in both the first and second innings putting up a five-spot in both innings.

ACU starter sophomore right-hander Riley Bauman would go only one-third of an inning, giving up two hits, four earned runs, and three walks. This resulted in the Wildcats utilizing five more pitchers in a game that already seemed a washout.

The Wildcat’s only offensive production came in the third and fourth innings, scoring three runs between the two innings. This was in part due to the efforts of junior outfielder Grayson Tatrow of Mansfield’s 433-foot home run to right field.

Tatrow, who earned Western Athletic Conference preseason honors by being named WAC preseason all-conference outfielder, has six home runs this season and has continued to be an explosive bat despite a relatively cold week versus TCU and Tarleton, where he batted just .215 but still drove in four RBI.

TCU would ultimately win in a seven-inning run-ruled 14-3 game. Though in the seventh, there appeared to be confusion on if the game would end with both teams packing up and leaving the dugouts with the umpires appearing not to be ready to end the matchup.

Game one versus Tarleton was Friday afternoon found itself tied up going into the ninth; head coach Rick McCarty sent closer senior right-hander Tanner Riley of Clyde. Riley, who had just a 0.84 ERA entering the game, would allow two runs giving the Texans a 9-7 lead and ultimate win.

Entering game two, ACU looked to its bullpen to go the distance. This strategy appeared to work going into the 8th with the Wildcats leading 6-5, though the Texans had other plans scoring five runs on just two hits flipping the script in route to a 12-6 win.

On Sunday, though, the series was already lost. The Wildcats entered with an opportunity to turn their momentum around entering their next week.

With this in mind, the Wildcats found themselves out to an early 7-0 lead after the first inning. After dropping four runs in both the third and fourth innings, the Wildcats cruised to an 18-2 run-rule victory.

Despite going 1-3, Coach McCarty says that weeks like this are just part of baseball.

“You go through one every year; last year, it was the Texas UIW, McCarty said. We had a really tough spell right there, but that was before our 11-game win streak and winning 15 of 18 down the stretch.”

The Wildcats have a demanding schedule remaining this season, including a home and away series with No. 7 Texas Tech on April 26 and May 3.

The Wildcat’s next series will be a two-game stretch versus the Air Force Falcons of the Mountain West, with game one of the series streaming on ESPN+.

Filed Under: Sports

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats season closes after losses to Utah Valley and Seattle

  • Wildcats win final weekend series against SFA, gains 4th seed in WAC tournament

  • Tatrow leads explosive offense in SFA sweep

About Kauy Ostlien

Junior journalism major and sports writer

Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

You are here: Home / Sports / Late pitching difficulties highlights rough week for baseball

Other Sports:

  • Wildcats season closes after losses to Utah Valley and Seattle

  • Wildcats win final weekend series against SFA, gains 4th seed in WAC tournament

  • Tatrow leads explosive offense in SFA sweep

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 weeks ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 weeks ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....