SAN ANGELO, Texas - The Abilene Christian baseball team remains alive for a shot at the Lone Star Conference Tournament title after defeating the Incarnate Word Cardinals, 14-3, on a cool Tuesday afternoon at Foster Field.
The victory sends ACU (26-27) into a third-round elimination game vs. Tarleton State, which is projected to start in 30 minutes. Both teams lost to host Angelo State earlier in the tournament, and whatever side advances will then have to beat the Rams twice in order to receive an automatic berth into the upcoming NCAA Championship.
Aaron Lambrix (4-5) racked up four strikeouts in pitching his third complete game of the year, and was bolstered by an offense that ripped 16 hits and scored eight straight runs to break a 2-2 fourth-inning tie.
The Wildcats batted around in the sixth and eighth, and were led at the plate by the trio of
Tyler Eager,
Rodge Macy, and Tyler Watson, which combined for nine hits, four runs, and four RBI.
Chuck Duarte also enjoyed a productive day at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double, triple, and two runs scored.
In the ninth,
Travis Schuetze drilled a two-run home run off Lone Star Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year Kirk Jewasko with the game already out of hand, giving the senior his fifth and sixth RBI of the tournament.
Seven of the nine Wildcat starters scored at least two runs.
Incarnate Word's season ends with a final record of 23-21.
