BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University battled fiercely, but came up short against Abilene Christian 9-6 Saturday afternoon at the LU Softball Complex.
After falling behind 4-0 in the first inning, the Cardinals (4-17, 0-6 in WAC play) answered immediately. After producing a single, sophomore infielder Brooke Davis scored when sophomore infielder Sam Bean belted an RBI double to the left-center power alley to cut the deficit to three.
Abilene Christian (12-12, 4-2 in WAC play) added two more runs in the second inning, but Lamar University refused to go away. Sphomore outfielder led off the second inning with a single up the middle on the first pitch. Junior infielder Hannah Kinkade was placed on base after being hit by a pitch. With two outs, Davis came up big again. She produced an RBI single to bring in Freudenberg, placing runners at the corners. Davis proceeded by stealing second base. The throw to second prompted Kinkade to score a run, cutting the deficit down to 6-3.
Big Red continued to inch closer to the Wildcats in the third inning. Bean placed the first pitch into left field for a single. However, Bean was erased on a fielder's choice, placing senior infielder Kaylee Ancelot on first base. Sophomore outfielder She would score when sophomore outfielder Audry Fleming hit a triple to left field. Fleming would score on a wild pitch, cutting the deficit to one run.
The Wildcats would pull away by adding runs in the fourth and sixth innings. Big Red refused to go away quietly though. With the bases loaded, Brooke Davis reached first base on an error. Freshman pinch-runner Kaylin Xayaseng scored. Back-to-back strikeouts would end the threat and Abilene Christian prevailed in the end.
Senior pitcher Aaliyah Ruiz struck out six pitchers in four innings of relief. She struck out a third of the batters she faced.
Lamar University will now turn their attention to Stephen F. Austin. The Cardinals will travel to Nacogdoches for a three-game series, starting with a doubleheader March 18. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m. CDT at SFA Softball Field. Lamar University's next home game will be against Houston Baptist 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 at the LU Softball Complex.
#WeAreLU
