LUBBOCK, Texas (February 27, 2018) – Sara Ralston's three-run home run led the Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals to a 5-2 win over No. 10 West Texas A&M Tuesday at PlainsCapital Park.
 
RALSTON
Courtney Medina led off the game for LCU (10-4) with a shot down the third base line. The next batter, Lindzi Clemmer, singled deep in the left side of the infield and an errant throw ensued from the Lady Buff third baseman, allowing Medina to score and Clemmer to advance to second base. Two batters later, Morgan Dufour was hit by the first pitch she saw to put runners at the corners. KK Lopez-Lui followed with a shot to right field, scoring Clemmer, before Sara Ralston stepped up and clubbed a three-run bomb over the centerfield fence to cap a five-run first inning of play. Ralston's home run was her third home run of the season. She had been hitless in her prior 12 at-bats leading up to the homer and her prior hit (Feb. 9 vs. Texas A&M Kingsville) was also a home run. Suka Van Gurp and Ashley Hardin each hit solo-home runs in the top of the sixth inning to bring West Texas A&M (11-2) within three runs.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Monique Francois started in the circle for the Lady Chaps and registered a complete game allowing two runs on four hits and striking out four Lady Buffs for her seventh victory of the season (7-1). Kilee Halbert (6-1) suffered her first loss of the year, giving up five runs on six hits while walking three Lady Chaps and striking out six batters.


NATIONALLY KNOWN
The win over WT improved LCU to 8-11 all-time against the Lady Buffs and five (5-5) of the wins have come at PlainsCapital Park. LCU also garnered their first win over a ranked opponent this season and they are 1-1 against nationally ranked foes. Their last win over a ranked opponent was on May 6, 2017 (at No.19 St. Mary's in the Heartland Conference Tournament) and their last win at home over a ranked opponent was on Mar. 10, 2017 against No.3 St. Mary's. LCU had lost their prior three home games against ranked programs.
 
KANSAS
The Lady Chaps head to Wichita, Kansas to face Newman University in a Heartland Conference doubleheader Friday. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.