LAREDO, Texas (April 24, 2015) – Four home runs accounted for the entirety Lubbock Christian's scoring offense in a 6-2 defeat of Texas A&M International during game one of a double header on Friday at Dustdevil Field to inch the Lady Chaps a step closer to clinching a consecutive Heartland Conference regular season title, but the Dustdevils stormed back to take game two by a score of 7-1 to put a halt to any LCU title chances.
The Lady Chaps (35-12, 18-4 Heartland) now sit tied with St. Mary's atop the conference standings with the Rattlers hosting St. Edward's for a single game Saturday, whom they beat twice on Friday evening. A win for LCU guarantees at least a share of the title, but if it is coupled with a Rattler loss, the Lady Chaps will win the title outright. However, if the results are reversed and LCU loses and StMU wins, St. Mary's will fully earn the title.
Jessica Loiacano picked up her first homer during the first inning of the day, a shot to left center that scored
Sammie Murrietta for a 2-0 Lady Chap advantage. The Dustdevils (24-22, 16-7 Heartland) answered with Brenda Parnin reaching on a fielder's choice and a Brittany Mussett single through the left side to put TAMIU in scoring position. A walk to Mariena Gallardo loaded the bases, and a sacrifice fly by Sarah Johnson brought Parnin around to cut LCU's in half at 2-1.
Loiacano came through again at the plate, sending a solo shot over center field in the third before
Liz Torres stepped up and did the same to increase the Lady Chap lead to 4-1. The Dustdevils put a run on the board in the fourth, but
Ashton Bell joined the home run club in the fifth with a two-run shot to right field to put LCU on top, 6-2, with a lead that would not be relinquished.
Kelsey Hoppel (12-3) did an admirable job in the circle by striking out nine batters, giving up five hits and walking a pair.
After knotting the score at one apiece in the second inning of game two off of another Torres home run, the Lady Chaps struggled defensively by delivering a wild pitch and an error in the outfield that contributed to a trio of Dustdevil runs and a 4-1 advantage. A second error in the following frame allowed another TAMIU score.
A home run by Parnin in the added two more TAMIU runs for insurance, and the Lady Chaps were unable to rally in the seventh, pushing back their efforts of capturing the title.
Courtney McGee (17-6) took the loss on 11 hits, four walks and two strikeouts.
LCU will play for at least a share of the conference title versus TAMIU at 11 a.m. tomorrow on Dustdevil Field.
