Wildcats Hold off the Lumberjacks

Sunday, March 12

Abilene, TX

1:05 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

6-10, 0-3

Abilene Christian University

13-3, 3-0

Stephen F. Austin

Abilene Christian

Wildcats Hold off the Lumberjacks

3/12/2023 8:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Colby Jackson, SFA Student Assistant for Strategic Communications

ABILENE, Texas - Abilene Christian University defeated Stephen F. Austin 9-6 to give the Wildcats the sweep on the Lumberjacks. ACU improves to 13-3 (WAC 3-0) while SFA falls to 6-10 (WAC 0-3).

After giving up an early run in the first inning, the Lumberjacks were able to jump back ahead in the second inning after taking advantage of some pitching miscues by the Wildcats. The 'Jacks were able to load the bases off of two walks and a hit batter then Julian Thompson brought in the first run after putting a ball in play that was bobbled by the ACU shortstop, allowing everyone to move up one base. Alex Rodgers stepped up next and drove in two more with a single through the left side, giving SFA the 3-1 lead.

That lead was quickly taken away as the Wildcats scored three in the bottom of the third when their first three batters of the inning hit a triple, single, and a home run. They were able to add on two more runs in the fifth inning when ACU led off the inning with a solo home run and another RBI single later on in their at-bats. ACU then collected another two runs in the seventh inning when the Wildcats started the inning with a single, walk, and a RBI single. After a sacrifice bunt moves the runner to third, a groundout to third drives in ACU's eighth run of the game.

Since SFA's three-run second inning, the Lumberjack bats were only able to collect one single the next six innings. However, in the eighth inning, Peyton Parker was able to drive in Rodgers from third on a sacrifice fly after Rodgers got hit by a pitch and moving to third on a wild pitch and a groundout to second. The Wildcats were able to match that run as their lead-off batter in the bottom half in the inning walked, stole both second and third, and scored on a RBI groundout.

Although down 9-4 in the ninth inning, the 'Jacks didn't go down without a fight. The Lumberjacks were able to load the bases with back-to-back singles and a walk to start off the inning. Tom Biggs then came in to pinch hit and came up big by bringing in two runs with a single down the right field. The late game rally was cut short after the Wildcats were able to shut down the 'Jacks with a strike out and a double play.

Rodgers was able to pick up two hits on the day as well as two RBIs and a run scored. Parker, Cole Hill, and Scout Sanders were the other Lumberjacks to collect a hit.

Stephen F. Austin returns home to take on UTSA for a one game matchup on Tuesday, March 14th at 6:30 p.m.