The Fort Hays State softball team was handed a 7-4 loss by Abilene Christian on Sunday at the Midwestern State Invitational in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Tigers had a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but Abilene Christian tied the game at 4-4 and got a three-run walk-off home run from Erin Gilliland to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season.

Fort Hays State struck quick, with Maddie Holub hitting a solo home run in the top of the first inning. The Tigers would go up 2-0 on a sac fly by Breanna Beckerman which scored Amanda Vaupel. Holub struck again in the third inning, this time with a two-run shot to put FHSU up 4-0. There were chances to extend the lead, but Holub was gunned down at the plate to end the fourth inning and the Tigers left runners on second and third in the fifth inning.

The Wildcats turned to their third pitcher of the game, Peyton Mosley, in the fifth inning after FHSU had two runners on and she responded by not allowing a hit the rest of the way. Fort Hays State had 10 hits off of the other ACU pitchers and also took advantage of three Wildcat errors.

Holub was strong in the circle, allowing just two hits in the first six innings, before the Wildcats came to life in the seventh. ACU tied the game at four on a fielder’s choice, leaving two runners still on base when Gilliland came to the plate for the walk-off home run. Holub gets her first loss of the season, moving to 2-1, after allowing seven runs on seven hits. She also allowed seven walks and had two wild pitches, but she struck out nine batters. Holub has struck out at least nine batters in all three of her starts this season.

The Tigers, now 4-1 on the season, travel to Denton, Texas next weekend to play in the Texas Women’s Tournament. They are scheduled to face Abilene Christian again next Sunday (Feb. 26) on the final day of that tournament.

– FHSU Sport Information –