ABILENE, Texas – The HBU softball team dropped both games of a Southland Conference doubleheader at Abilene Christian, falling 4-1 and 14-8 on Friday night at Poly Wells Field.
Sophomore left fielder
Nicole Shedd led the Huskies (15-28, 7-18 SLC) at the plate against the Wildcats (25-21, 18-8 SLC), going a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and one RBI in game two of the series. Junior center fielder
Kay Schroeder singled in both games, recording one RBI and one run scored, respectfully.
Senior pitchers
Laci Belovsky (8-17) and
Shannon O'Connor (5-9) each suffered losses on the evening. Belovsky took the decision in game one, surrendering four runs on three hits across two innings, before giving way to O'Connor, who tossed four scoreless frames the rest of the way. However, O'Connor's good fortune didn't continue in the nightcap, surrendering nine runs (six earned) on six hits across three innings.
The Huskies will look to avoid the series sweep and close the 2016 season on a high note in an 11 a.m. first pitch on Saturday.
Game 2: Abilene Christian 14, HBU 8
ACU struck first, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Center fielder Taylor Brown doubled to open the frame before stealing third. An error on a fielder's choice allowed Brown to score, before shortstop Peyton Hedrick hit a two-run home run over the left field wall.
HBU answered with four runs in its next trip to the plate. With one out, senior third baseman
Shay Orsak belted her team-leading ninth double of the season, before an infield error put runners at the corners. Shedd followed with a two-bagger of her own to plate Orsak. Following a strikeout, Gunn cleared the bases with a three-run bomb over the wall in left-center, her fourth of the season.
After the Wildcats scored two runs in the third, the Huskies put up another four-spot in the top of the fourth to take their first lead of the series, 8-5. Orsak once again started things off, singling up the middle. After Orsak moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, junior right fielder
Cecilia Bauer knocked her in with a single through left side. Shedd and Schroeder then both executed bunt singles to drive in Orsak. A groundout to third base pushed across Bauer, before freshman designated player
Brooke Bushman plated two more with single to right field.
Unfortunately, ACU answered with eight runs in the bottom frame and tacked on one in the fifth to give pitcher Hannah Null (15-11), who picked up her second win of the night, plenty of cushion in taking the 14-8 final to clinch the series win.
Game 1: Abilene Christian 4, HBU 1
The Wildcats plated four runs across its first two trips to the plate to take an early 4-0 lead.
The HBU bats broke through for one run in the fourth inning. With one out, Brown and freshman second baseman
Demi Janak recorded back-to-back hits with a double and single down the left field line to get on the board.
However, Null held the Huskies to one hit over the last three innings in a complete-game effort.
