LUBBOCK, Texas (January 31, 2016) – The Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaps were just a few runners shy of leaving the bases loaded in the bottom half of all six innings versus 21st- ranked Regis (Colo.) University, but managed to hang on for a 5-4 victory in their lone game of the day to finish the Lady Chap Invitational with a perfect record while landing seven on the All-Tournament team.
 
FEELING DESERTED
LCU (5-0) managed to leave runners on the bases in each inning, leaving the bases loaded on three occasions. The defense of Regis (4-2) kept the Lady Chaps fighting the whole game to bring runs across the plate. LCU was able to garner their five runs off eleven hits.
 
NO 'I' IN TEAM
Sixteen Lady Chaps participated in today's contest with each playing a significant role. Sydney Beuthien doubled in the first, driving in Lindzi Clemmer, and Addison Ard singled to left to bring home Ashton Bell. Beuthien singled in the second to plate Clemmer to give LCU a 3-0 lead after two innings of play. In the fifth, Sammie Murrietta homered to score pinch runner Shelby Welch. Later in the fifth, Haley Hardison singled down the left field line bringing in Lubbock native Jenny Rigney to pinch run for her. Katlin Reed also had a big single to left field to advance runners in the fifth to give the Lady Chaps a 5-3 lead after five innings of play.
 
GROUP EFFORT
It was a group effort in the circle for LCU today as three Lady Chaps made appearances assisting in the win. Katlyn Holmes (1-0) got the start going six innings allowing the first three runs, striking out three and walking four. Abbi White came in to start the seventh and faced three batters, giving up one unearned run off of two Lady Chap errors. Katera Eltsosie made her presence felt by coming in and striking out the final two batters to earn her first save of the season.
 
GALLIANT PERFORMANCE
The Rangers fought hard the entire game with pitcher Nicole Hull (3-1) hitting a monster shot to left center to help her own cause; however, Hull fell short despite going the distance while striking out three Lady Chaps. Three other Rangers joined in, each managing one hit.
 
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
The Lady Chap Invitational All-Tournament Team was announced with seven Lady Chaps making the team including MVP Morgan Colburn and MVP Pitcher Eltsosie. Lady Chap All-Tournament pitchers also included Bell and Holmes while Clemmer, Davison and Torres made up the position players.
 
HIT THE ROAD
The Lady Chaps now take to the road for their next 21 games. They return to the confines of PlainsCapital Park on Friday, March 4 for a Heartland Conference double-header versus Rogers State. LCU travels next weekend to San Antonio, Texas, to play in the College Classic hosted by St. Mary's, first facing East Central at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 4. The Ada, Oklahoma, squad is receiving votes in the NFCA pre-season poll.
 
LADY CHAP INVITATIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP – Morgan Colburn, LCU
MVP Pitcher – Katera Eltsosie, LCU
 
Position Players
·      Anyssa Barbosa, OPSU
·      Lindzi Clemmer, LCU
·      Morgan Colburn, LCU
·      Molly Davison, LCU
·      Alyssa Finger, RU
·      Lacy Granger, WNMU
·      Haley Howerton, MSU
·      Rachel Illias, RU
·      Bradey King, RU
·      Liz Torres, LCU
·      Darcie Wilson, OPSU
 
Pitchers
·      Nicole Avilles, RU (utility)
·      Ashton Bell, LCU
·      Katera Eltsosie, LCU
·      Katlyn Holmes, LCU
·      Nicole Hull, RU
·      Erin Knox, MSU (utility)