LUBBOCK, Texas (January 29, 2016) - Lubbock Christian started the first game of the season today with back-to-back home runs in the first inning leading to a two-win day with an 11-0 five inning, run-ruled victory over Western New Mexico to open the LCU Lady Chaps Invitational followed by an 6-4 extra-inning win over #21 ranked Regis (Colorado) University.

FAST START
LCU (2-0) opened the day against WNMU (0-1) and jumped out to an early lead when Molly Davison hit a two-run shot over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the first. She was immediately followed by a bomb from Molly Colburn to give the Lady Chaps a 3-0 lead after the first inning.

PULLING AWAY
The Lady Chaps pulled away from the Lady Mustangs in the bottom of the third inning when LCU piled on six runs off of three hits, two of them by Sydney Beuthien to go along with a couple of errors by WNMU. The Lady Chaps chased Lady Mustang starting pitcher, Domi Shone, from the game. Shone took the loss with 2.1 innings pitched giving up six hits, allowing nine runs to score. The following inning Colburn doubled paired with another error by the Lady Mustangs and a walk, and LCU was out in front 11-0 at the end of the fourth inning of play.

ALMOST PERFECT
LCU starting pitcher, Katera Eltsosie, was quite impressive in her 2016 debut facing only one batter over the minimum. Only the hit in the top of the fifth inning by WNMU first baseman, Thailyza Ramirez, kept Eltsosie from throwing a perfect game. She instead threw a one-hit shutout, tallying nine strikeouts along the way.

SECOND GAME A DIFFERENT STORY
Game two of the day for the Lady Chaps was against the 21st ranked Regis University Rangers (1-1). Once again Davison homered in the first inning with another two-run shot over the left field fence. However, errors by Colburn and Liz Torres in the top of the next inning allowed the Rangers to gain one of those runs back.

SEE-SAW
The game truly became a see-saw battle with Regis regaining the lead in the top of the sixth inning with two runs off a triple by Rachel Illias and an error by Davison. In the bottom half of the inning the Lady Chaps managed to get both runs back with four back-to-back singles from Sammie Murrietta, Davison, Colburn and Torres. In the top of the seventh the Rangers' pitcher, Nicole Aviles, homered to tie the game up. LCU was unable to score in the bottom of the seventh sending the game into extra innings.

EXTRA INNINGS HEROICS
The International Tie Breaker rule was in effect for extra innings, allowing a runner to be placed at second base to start the inning. Eltsosie entered the game in the top of the eighth striking out two and managed to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard. In the bottom half of the inning with one out Colburn hit a two-run rocket over left center for a walk-off win.

IN THE CIRCLE
Eltsosie garnered the win, her second of the season. However, Katlyn Holmes pitched seven innings for LCU only giving up two earned runs to go with two strikeouts. Aviles went the distance for Regis taking the loss off of nine hits, allowing only three earned runs. She struck out six Lady Chaps on the day.

PERFECT
The Lady Chaps are now 19-0 all-time in opening day games in their eighth season.

SATURDAY
The Lady Chaps will continue tournament play with two more games Saturday. They start the day against Western New Mexico at noon and immediately follow with a game against Midwestern State at 2:15 p.m.