LUBBOCK, Texas (February 4, 2018) –
Logan Grado hit a bases loaded shot through the left side in the bottom of the seventh inning to score two runs and give the Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals a walk-off 6-5 win over the University of Texas of the Permian Basin Falcons Sunday, concluding play at the 2018 Visit Lubbock Softball Classic at PlainsCapital Park.
BEHIND EARLY
The Lady Chaps (4-1) found themselves in a big hole early, as the Falcons (1-4) scored three runs in the second inning and two runs in the third inning to take a 5-0 lead.
WIND OF CHANGE
By the start of the fourth inning, the wind had switched directions and the temperature dropped over 20 degrees leading to pitching struggles for the Falcons.
Megan Darling drew a bases-loaded walk to put LCU on the scoreboard, and it was followed by a shot to left field by
Lindzi Clemmer (drove in
Adelae Vayas and
Casey Ingram) to bring the Lady Chaps within two runs (5-3).
Averi Miller scored in the sixth inning off the bat of
Sydney Beuthien to make it a one-run game going into the seventh inning (5-4).
WALK-OFF
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Ingram reached on a fielding error by the UTPB third baseman to load the bases. LCU head coach
Daren Hays brought in
Logan Grado to pinch-hit, and she delivered with a shot through the left side to bring in
Sara Ralston and Vayas giving LCU the walk-off victory.
RELIEF
Amber Carlton received the start in the circle for the Lady Chaps, going 2.1 innings and allowing three earned runs off seven hits (she struck out three Falcons).
Clarissa Martinez (1-0) came in and threw 4.2 innings in relief, shutting out Permian Basin and only allowing one hit to earn her first victory on the season. Maritza Rojas started for UTPB (throwing 5.1 innings) giving up four runs off four hits, while walking eight Lady Chaps. She gave way to Sloan Springfield (0-2), who gave up two runs off two hits to suffer her second loss of the year.
UP NEXT
The Lady Chaps return to the diamond Tuesday hosting Sul Ross State in a doubleheader at PlainsCapital Park starting at 1:00 p.m.
