Zias blown out by ACU, then nearly pull out split

Had they pulled it off, it would have no doubt qualified as one of the all-time splits in softball history.

Eastern New Mexico University was destroyed by Abilene Christian 25-0 in the opener of their Lone Star Conference twin bill on Friday at Zia Softball Field, then scored five times in the bottom of the seventh in the nightcap to pull to 10-8 and had the bases loaded with one out.

ACU's Caitlyn Crain, who threw a five-inning, two-hit shutout in the opener, then took over and got a pair of strikeouts to let the Wildcats escape with the victory.

Katie Ramsay hit an RBI single in the seventh for the Zias (14-37, 6-16 LSC), then Savannah Chavez hit a two-run double to right-center with one out to make it 10-6. Peyton Mosley relieved starter Shelby Hall (9-3), and Beatriz Caporal reached on an error to load the bases, then Rebecca Marrujo walked to force in a run.

Ke VonSchriltz hit an RBI single to right to bring on Crain, who got Lizzy Velasquez and Kyra Sirag on strikes to end it for her fifth save.

The Wildcats (26-22, 10-12), who hit four home runs in the first-game blowout, added three more in the nightcap. First baseman Courtney Flanary hit a one-out grand slam in the first, and Keanna Winkfield and Cara Hoover hit leadoff home runs in the second and third.

ACU opened a 10-3 lead with a four run sixth that featured a two-run single to center by right fielder Ashley Nolan.

Ramsay went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs for the Zias, who matched the Wildcats in hits 12-12. Winkfield and Sara Vaughn were both 3-for-5 for ACU.

In the opener, Vaughn went 3-for-3 with a home run, three walks and four RBIs and Hoover added a grand slam during ACU's 11-run fourth. Meantime, Crain (12-10) gave up singles to Velasquez in the first and Ramsay in the fifth in facing only two over the minimum in five innings.

The teams finish their three-game series with a noon start today.