By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer
Hitting two home runs and collecting seven RBIs would make a pretty memorable weekend for almost any baseball player.
ACU junior first baseman Arnie Gomez had another reason for last weekend’s three-game series at Eastern New Mexico being so memorable: family.
“My dad, younger brother and sister, grandmother and two cousins were able to go out [to Portales, N.M] from California and see me play,” said Gomez, whose father saw him play for the first time this season. “It was a big thing for me personally. Anytime I can play well when my dad is watching is great.”
Gomez, who is tied for the team lead with eight home runs, was unable to carry the Wildcats in Tuesday’s 4-1 road loss against Division I University of Texas-San Antonio, which featured former Kansas City Royals’ draft pick Shane Menn. ACU scattered nine hits to the Roadrunners’ eight but stranded 10 runners on base.
Senior left-hander Brandon Shaw picked up his first loss of the season against the Roadrunners despite giving up only six hits and two runs over seven innings. Senior third baseman Brad Massey went 3-for-4 with a run scored, giving him 52 for the season (second in Lone Star Conference play).
The Wildcats, now 35-16 overall, welcome Lincoln (Mo.) University to Crutcher Scott Field Friday and Saturday for a four-game series to close out regular-season play. The series will keep ACU fresh for the LSC Post-Season Tournament May 1-4. The Wildcats will likely play LSC leader Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., to open the tournament.
Gomez said this weekend’s series against Lincoln is key to the Wildcats making a strong post-season run.
“[Lincoln’s] not a very strong team,” said Gomez of the 9-29 Blue Tigers. “It will give the players that are struggling with their confidence a chance to get out of it. We should get to 39 wins for the season after this weekend.”
Shaw, who is 4-1 with a 3.22 ERA this season, said this season’s pitching staff is so successful because of each pitcher’s tremendous confidence.
“Everybody wants the ball,” said Shaw, who transferred to ACU after pitching sparingly last season at Texas Tech. “The pitchers do their job and do what they’ve been blessed to do.”
Senior left-hander Robert Newland and junior right-hander Aaron Lawler are prime examples of pitchers doing their job: Newland is fourth in the LSC with a 2.66 ERA and Lawler has nine wins. Freshman right-hander Kristian Bell, junior right-hander Kade Simmons and junior left-hander Sam Hall all have five wins apiece for the Wildcats, whose pitching staff sports a 3.86 ERA.
Shaw said he transferred to ACU for one huge reason: to win.
“I came here to win a championship,” said Shaw, who won a national title as a freshman at Grayson County College. “Once you win a ring you want more and more. That’s definitely a possibility here. I’m just happy I’m able to contribute the way I have.”
