PHOENIX– The Wildcats erupted for five first inning runs, putting together their best scoring inning of the weekend. Despite the early lead, Colorado State answered with a six-run second inning to take the lead and never relinquished it the rest of the way. The Rams held an 8-5 lead going into the bottom the sixth and held on for the 8-7 win as Abilene Christian's comeback attempt fell just short.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- A patient first inning at the plate allowed the Wildcats to draw four walks in the frame to put bodies on the bases.
- With the bases loaded, Olivia Taylor doubled down the left field line to bring home two runs.
- Two batters later, Logan Gaspar tallied her first hit of the season. She reached base on a single, made it to second on an error and three runs scored for ACU.
- Six hits from the Rams led to six runs scored in the top of the second inning as they took a 6-5 lead.
- A two-run homer in the top of the sixth extended the CSU lead to 8-5.
- Mercedes Eichelberger and Catrin Hoffman each drove in a run in the bottom of the sixth to bring the score to 8-7, but the Wildcats were unable to get another run across.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Eichelberger reached base three times in the game on a walk, a hit by pitch, and a double. The hit by pitch was the fifth she drew on the weekend and a team-leading eighth on the season.
- Olivia Taylor registered her first multi-RBI game of the year with her two-run double in the first inning.
- Wildcat pitching issued just one walk in the game, just the third instance this season issuing one or fewer walks.
ON DECK:
- After being on the road for the last month, the Wildcats will return home to open WAC play next weekend with a doubleheader on March 18 against Utah Tech.
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