ARLINGTON, Texas -- Abilene Christian got four extra-base hits from Grant Watkins and scored eight runs with two outs, defeating Wichita State 11-9 on Wednesday night at Globe Life Field.
The Wildcats (8-5) scored in five consecutive innings from the second through the sixth, getting multiple runs in four of the five frames.
The two-out magic began in the bottom of the second, when Braden Regala sliced a two-out, three-run double to the gap in right-center field to empty the bases against Wichita State starter
Arnad Mulamekic (0-2). WSU came right back with three runs of their own in the top of the third, taking advantage of two bases-loaded hit by pitches to
Kam Durnin and
Josh Livingston before
Mauricio Millan knotted the game with a sacrifice fly.
Abilene Christian responded with a three-spot of their own in the bottom of the third. Watkins launched the first of his two home runs, a two-run shot to right, and a WSU error later in the inning gave the Wildcats a 6-3 lead. The Shockers pulled a run back in the fourth via another sacrifice fly from
Camden Johnson, but ACU's Diego Cardenas skied a solo shot of his own in the bottom half to restore the three-run cushion.
Two more two-run innings from the Wildcats in the fifth and sixth created separation, capped off by the second two-run homer from Watkins for an 11-5 lead.
The Shockers (3-9) did not go quietly, putting three runs on the board in the seventh.
Lane Haworth came off the bench to smack a two-run double and later came around to score on a wild pitch, trimming the ACU lead to 11-8. Wichita State added another in the ninth on a wild pitch, but
Jordan Rogers grounded out to third representing the tying run against Wildcats closer Brady Coe, who secured his third save.
Cooper Hrbacek (1-1) earned the win for Abilene Christian, allowing one run over 1.2 innings. Mulamekic was tagged with the loss for WSU, surrendering six runs, five earned, over 2.2 frames.
Nick Potter shined in relief for the Shockers, striking out five consecutive hitters over his two scoreless innings.
Wichita State returns home for a three-game series against Missouri State on Friday night. First pitch of the series opener is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT.
