SAN ANGELO, Texas - Kristen Stonecipher lined a run-scoring single to left field to become the Lone Star Conference's all-time RBI leader Friday afternoon at the NCAA Division II South Central Regional at the Angelo State Softball Complex.

But that was one of the few highlights for the Mustangs as Abilene Christian plated two runs in the first, third and sixth innings to eliminate Midwestern from the tournament 6-2.

The Wildcats, who improved to 34-27, were eliminated later in the afternoon 2-1 by St. Edward's, who had also eliminated Central Oklahoma earlier in the day by a margin of 3-0.

St. Edward's advances to face No. 1 seed Angelo State Saturday at 1 p.m. for the right to battle Southeastern Oklahoma for the South Central Region title later at 4 p.m.

Southeastern Oklahoma upended Angelo State 1-0 on Saturday and must now be beaten twice by the winner of the St. Edward's/Angelo State contest for the right advance to the Elite Eight which will be held as part of the NCAA Division II Spring Festival next week in Houston. 

Midwestern State closes the season with a 36-29 record.

The Wildcats pounced on MSU starter Ashley Kuchenski for a pair of runs in first and third innings as Jessica Shiery blasted a two-run, opposite field homer to left field in the first inning and Kim Partin drove in two more with a triple off the left-field fence in the third inning.

Kuchenski (6-11) moved to right field to begin the fourth after allowing four runs - all earned - on six hits while striking out two and walking one.

The Mustangs struck for a run in the bottom of the fourth when Maranda Bishop scored on Lauren Craig's sacrifice fly to center field to cut the ACU advantage to 4-1.

But the Wildcats loaded the bases on Mustangs' reliever Katie Petersen in the sixth before Jackie Gentile laced a two-run single to right field push the Abilene Christian lead to 6-1.

The Mustangs rallied for a run in the bottom of the inning as Bishop hustled for a one-out double with one out in the before coming around on Stonecipher's second single of the day to right field.

It was Stonecipher's 172nd career RBI which moved her past former Abilene Christian standout Katie Bryan, who drove in 171 runs from 2002-06.

Abilene Christian freshman Jacque Gregoire went the distance to improve to 7-5 while yielding two runs on six hits.

Petersen came on to fan seven batters in her four innings of relief, but the ACU managed two earned runs on four hits against the Midwestern ace.

Bishop paced the Mustangs' attack while going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, while Stonecipher and Tabitha Yannetti each added a pair of singles.

Shiery, Partin, Shelby McElvain and Kim Partin each had a pair of hits to pace the Wildcats' 10-hit attack.

Notes

- Kristen Stonecipher closed her career as Midwestern State's all-time leader in at bats (736), hits (270), doubles (46), RBI (172), total bases (396), walks (69) and times hit by pitch (17).
- Ashley Kuchenski finishes her career with a 42-24 mark in the circle with a 2.62 ERA. She had nine career shutouts and is third on MSU's all-time list with 279 strikeouts. She also closed her best season at the plate in 2008 with a .261 average, 10 doubles, three home runs and 25 RBI.
- Lindsey Voigt rates among MSU's top 10 hitters with a .351 average in her two season since transferring from Vernon College prior to her junior season. Voigt is the program's all-time leader with 32 stolen bases. She slugged .527 over the last two years with 20 doubles, three triples and 15 home runs while driving in 69 runs.
  

2008 NCAA Division II South Central Regional Schedule

Angelo State Softball Field
San Angelo, Texas

Wednesday, May 7
Game 1: Southeastern Oklahoma 2, Central Oklahoma 0
Game 2: Midwestern State 2, St. Mary's 0
Game 3: St. Edward's 3, Abilene Christian 1
Game 4: Angelo State 9, Fort Lewis 1

Thursday, May 8
Game 5: Central Oklahoma 7, St. Mary's 4 (St. Mary's eliminated)
Game 6: Abilene Christian 10, Fort Lewis 3 (Fort Lewis eliminated)
Game 7: Southeastern Oklahoma 3, Midwestern State 2
Game 8: Angelo State 5, St. Edward's 1

Friday, May 9
Game 9: Abilene Christian 6, Midwestern State 2 (Midwestern State eliminated)
Game 10: St. Edward's 3, Central Oklahoma 0 (Central Oklahoma eliminated)
Game 11: Southeastern Oklahoma 1, Angelo State 0
Game 12: St. Edward's 2, Abilene Christian 1 (Abilene Christian eliminated)

Saturday, May 10
Game 13: St. Edward's 3, Angelo State 2 (Angelo State eliminated)
Game 14: St. Edward's 1, Southeastern Oklahoma 0

Sunday, May 11
Game 15: (4) St. Edward's vs. (3) Southeastern Oklahoma, 1 p.m.