BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University opened its home conference slate Friday afternoon at the LU Softball Complex, dropping two one-run games against Abilene Christian. Game one resulted in a 3-2 decision in favor of Abilene Christian, while the Wildcats alos took game two with a 4-3 result.
Lamar (4-16, 0-5 in WAC play) struck gold first in game one. After being hit by a pitch, sophomore infielder Sam Bean scored on senior infielder Kaylee Ancelot's RBI double to left-centerfield. After the Wildcats (11-12, 3-2 in WAC play) tied the game in the top of the fourth, Big Red answered. Sophomore outfielder Hayley Freudenberg produced a two-out single. Junior infielder Hannah Kinkade followed up by taking the first pitch to the right-center power alley, allowing Freudenberg to score from first base.
The lead would not last long as Abilene Christian produced a two-run homer to take the lead for good.
Lamar University would strike first once again during game two. An error allowed sophomore outfielder Audry Fleming to reach base. After Freudenberg pushed Fleming to second with a sacrifice bunt, junior catcher Felixia Hinojosa produced an RBI single to left field. Fleming's run put the Cardinals up 1-0 in the second inning.
The Wildcats answered by taking the lead, but it would not last long. Lamar University answered back when junior infielder Nicolette Ramirez scored on a Fleming RBI single to centerfield. Again, the tie would not last long. Abilene Christian scored one run in each of the fourth and fifth innings.
Fleming would once again provide production in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly to score Bean.
One error in each game proved to be the difference maker, allowing unearned runs to score each time. Senior pitcher Aaliyah Ruiz pitched 10 total innings, allowing four runs. Only two of those four were earned. Her efforts in the two games finished with seven strikeouts.
Lamar University now looks to salvage the series against Abilene Christian in the final game Saturday. First pitch is set for noon at the LU Softball Complex.
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