Even though recent heavy rains pushed back their respective starting times, both the Angelina College softball and baseball teams will be at home for a pair of conference doubleheaders Friday at the Larry Phillips Family Sports Complex on the AC campus.
The No. 16 Lady Roadrunners will host Trinity Valley Community College in a twin bill starting at 3 p.m. Right across the sidewalk, the Roadrunners will face Panola College in the two-game finale of their three-game series started on Wednesday. First pitch for the doubleheader is also at 3 p.m.
In Wednesday’s game, Roadrunner head coach Jeff Livin showed he’s shifting into a “Whatever it takes” mode as the regular season nears its end. On Wednesday in Carthage, the ‘Runners shook up their pitching staff, giving Wes Gafford the start – he’s been one of the team’s top relievers – and brought Lance Lusk and Jacob Mead in from the bullpen.
The strategy worked, as the ‘Runners handled the Ponies 10-6 in the series opener behind a homer from Rylan Meek – who has homered in back-to-back games. The win also moved AC (24-16, 11-11) into a tie for third place, three games behind the Ponies.
The Lady Roadrunners learned on Tuesday they’d maintained their position as the No. 16 team in the nation. AC’s ladies are riding a 10-game winning streak heading into Friday’s matchup with TVCC after earning a 10-2, 6-1 sweep in Kilgore. Kaylee Ancelot ripped her team-leading 11th homer in the opener, finishing the series with five RBI. Ancelot, Nikki Whitehead and Riley Garrett each drove in two runs in the nightcap.
Currently, the Lady Roadrunners are ranked No. 8 in the nation offensively with a team batting average of .397.
The softball games will be live streamed. Viewers can watch both ends of the doubleheader by visiting angelinaathletics.com.
