SAN ANTONIO, Texas (May 4, 2017) – A perfect day at the plate by All-Heartland Conference selection
Sydney Beuthien and a stellar nine-strikeout performance in the circle from fellow All-Conference member
Katera Eltsosie led No.2-seed Lubbock Christian University to a 4-0 shutout victory over No.3-seed Oklahoma Christian to open play in the 2017 Heartland Conference Tournament at Rattlers' Softball Stadium on the campus of St. Mary's University Thursday.
SCORELESS
Through the first three innings, neither team could manage a hit, much less get a run on the scoreboard. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Lady Chaparrals (36-16) led off the inning with a single up the middle by
Sydney Beuthien. With two outs,
Lindzi Clemmer drove a ball through the gap on the left side to plate Beuthien and get LCU on the scoreboard.
TWO OUT
Again with two outs in the fifth inning,
Casey Ingram laid down a beautiful bunt to reach on a base hit. Beuthien followed with a triple to score Ingram before scoring on a wild pitch to put the Lady Chaps up 3-0. With two outs in the sixth inning, Clemmer would complete the scoring coming home on a fielding error by the Lady Eagles (31-22).
SHUOUT
Katera Eltsosie (19-5) started in the circle for the Lady Chaps, going the distance for the complete-game shutout. She allowed six hits while striking out nine OC batters to earn her 19
th win of 2017. Madison Hagood (15-11) got the start in the circle for Oklahoma Christian and threw five innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits to suffer her 11
th loss this season. Kaylie Upton pitched the final two innings and allowed one run on one hit to close out the contest.
NEXT
The win moves the No. 2-seed Lady Chaps into the next round of the Heartland Conference Tournament. LCU's next game is scheduled for 12 p.m. Friday against No. 1-seed St. Mary's, who defeated No. 5-seed Texas A&M International 2-1 in eight innings. LCU is 1-2 against StMU this season and the Rattlers lead the all-time series 12-6. The winner of Friday's matchup will advance to the Championship Game on Saturday at noon. The losing team will play again Friday at 5 p.m. in an elimination game.
