Stephen F. Austin
Abilene Christian
Ladyjacks Smash Seven HRs to Sweep ACU
4/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
GM1: SFA 12, ACU 4 (6) |  GM2: SFA 14, ACU 13
ABILENE, Texas -- The Stephen F. Austin softball team displayed a lot of pop and prowess at the plate in Friday evening's doubleheader against Abilene Christian, using seven home runs to beat the Wildcats 12-4 in a shortened game one and 14-13 in the nightcap. The Ladyjacks improve to 14-26 on the year with the two victories, including a 6-10 mark in Southland Conference play.
Entering Friday's doubleheader with just 18 total home runs in 38 games this season, the SFA bats came alive to the tune of seven home runs over 13 innings. Katelyn Standley led the way with three dingers on the day while Shalie Day added two long balls of her own. Taylor Fraccastoro launched one in game one and Autumn Holloway contributed her first of the season as well.
As a team, the Ladyjacks hit at a staggering .443 clip over the two games, thanks in part to Day's huge game two. The SFA slugger went 5-for-5 with two runs, five RBI, two doubles and a home run in the contest to help the Ladyjacks put up 14 runs.
Game One
The Ladyjacks got a balanced attack at the dish in game one as eight players notched a hit and Heather Hollingsworth, Alisa Hamilton, Taylor Vick and Fraccastoro each posted a multi-hit game.
Fraccastoro got the scoring frenzy started with a solo blast in the second inning, putting SFA on top 1-0 early on.
In the third, SFA sent 14 to the plate and put up eight runs on six hits, highlighted by two-run shots from Holloway and Day. Vick doubled and Hamilton singled prior to each homer. Vick recorded her second double of the inning with two outs to send Lindsay Campbell and Fraccastoro home. Hollingsworth rounded out the hit parade with an RBI infield single, giving SFA the 9-0 lead.
After the Wildcats (9-28, 3-14 SLC) chipped back with three runs in the bottom half of the third, the Ladyjacks tacked on another run in the fifth. With runners on the corners and two away, Hamilton swiped second base to allow Vick to score from third.
Vick finished game one with three runs scored, two RBI, two doubles and went 3-for-4.
A two-run homer by Standley in the sixth inning put SFA on top 12-4, and with Callee Guffey's help, held true for the final.
Guffey (7-11) earned the win and quality start by allowing four runs -- three earned -- on six hits over a complete six innings. She struck out five in the game.
Game Two
The SFA bats didn't cool off any in the second game. All nine Ladyjacks that stepped into the box got at least one hit, led by a five-hit performance from Day. Hollingsworth, Hamilton, Campbell, Standley and Vick each connected for two hits apiece.
Standley started the second game the way she ended the first, smacking a two-run laser over the wall in right-center to help SFA jump in front 2-0.
The 2-1 Ladyjack lead heading into the fifth inning drastically changed in the span of one half inning for each team. SFA scored nine runs on nine hits in the frame while ACU answered back with eight runs on six hits and an error.
In the top half, the Ladyjacks hit for the team cycle in just one inning. Standley mashed a three-run homer, Hamilton drove in two on a triple to left field, Day brought Hamilton home on a double, and Lewis, Campbell and Day also each drove in runs via singles.
ACU tightened the gap with a run in the sixth inning to come within one at 11-10. The home run derby continued in the seventh inning with Day sending a three-run homer to right-center, padding the SFA lead to 14-10.
The Wildcats knocked in two more homers in the bottom half to make things interesting, but Guffey stopped the rally and helped the Ladyjacks hang on for the thrilling 14-13 victory.
Freshman Makayla Sikes earned her second win of the season while Guffey picked up her second save.
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The Ladyjacks and Wildcats will play on Saturday afternoon at noon in the series finale. SFA is looking for its first series sweep in SLC action.
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