ACU Softball Drops Two Games in Marriott Classic
By: Eric Boynton
Updated: March 3, 2013
WICHITA
FALLS - Just one day after a pair of solid wins at the Courtyard by Marriott
Classic, the 23rd-ranked ACU Wildcats suffered a pair of heartbreaking defeats
Saturday at Mustang Field.
The
Wildcats lost both games in eight innings, falling 6-5 early Saturday evening to
No. 13 Emporia State (Kan.), and the dropping a 3-2 decision late Saturday night
to St. Mary's.
ACU
(12-8 on the season) will be back in action Sunday at 11 a.m. against
Northeastern State in its final game of the tournament.
In the
nightcap loss, the teams went to extra innings tied at 2-2 and the Wildcats
failed to get their runner to the plate, despite having Keanna Winkfield at
third base with only one out. But Courtney Flanary fouled out to the catcher
and Lyndi Smith grounded back to the pitcher for the third out to set up the
bottom of the eighth for the Lady Rattlers.
With
Nicole Sardelich at third and one out, Jared Gonzelz and Christina Rodriguez
were walked to set up a force at the plate. ACU pitcher Caitlyn Crain had a 1-2
count on Taylor Vidrine, but hit her with the 1-2 pitch to drive in Sardelich
with the game-winning run.
Crain
-- who picked up the loss to fall to 6-3 -- went 7 1/3 innings, allowing just
five hits and three runs while striking out six Lady Rattlers.
Heather
Peacock drove in both of ACU's runs in the game with a two-run single in the
fourth that gave ACU a 2-1 lead.
In the
earlier loss to Emporia State, the Wildcats surrendered early leads of 3-0 and
4-2 as the Lady Hornets came back to avenge ACU's win between the two teams on
Friday.
After
ACU got the game tied at 5-5 with a run in the bottom of the fourth, the teams
went to the international tiebreaker in the eighth inning. With one out and
Reichard at third, ACU pitcher Peyton Mosley uncorked a wild pitch that allowed
Reichard to score the go-ahead run.
In the
bottom of the eighth, ACU's runner - Lyndi Smith - was placed at second, but was
erased on a double play ball hit by Peacock. After a Cara Hoover walk,
pinch-hitter Adelaid Oun struck out to end the game.
Mosley
scattered nine hits over eight innings and walked three while striking out four
batters. She took the loss to fall to 2-4 on the year.
