CLAREMORE, Okla. (March 13, 2019) – Lubbock Christian University's
Morgan Dufour celebrated her birthday with a two-out three-run home run to cap a five-run top of the seventh inning, and the Lady Chaps rallied to a 9-7 victory over Rogers State in the second game of their Heartland Conference doubleheader at Diamond Sports Complex. The comeback win was a much-needed rebound after being held to one-hit by Andrea Morales in a 10-0 shutout loss in the opening game of the doubleheader.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Game 1: RSU 10, LCU 0 (5inn. Final) | Game 2: LCU 9, RSU 7
Records: LCU (14-7, 5-4), RSU (19-7, 6-3)
Location: Claremore, Okla. (Diamond Sports Complex)
Time of Game: Game 1: 1:30 | Game 2: 2:20
Weather: Game 1: 62 – Partly Cloudy, Wind S28 | Game 2: 65 – Mostly Clear, Wind S22
Game 1 vs. RSU
LCU Highlights:
Turning Point:
A five-run second inning off a pair of home runs for the Hillcats was a quick sting to give Rogers State the full momentum.
How it Happened:
- The Lady Chaps nearly got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, but a two-out infield error allowed the Hillcats to take a 1-0 lead.
- Mikayla Waggnor hit a three-run home run and Sierra Skaggs followed with a two-run shot to combine for a five-run second inning and it gave RSU a 6-0 lead.
- They tacked on a run in the third inning and then Rylee DeLozier hit a solo home run as part of an error-filled fourth inning, as the lead was extended to 10-0.
- Andrea Morales pitched a one-hitter, retiring the first 10 batters she faced via strikeouts, including a nine-pitch third inning. Arredondo broke up the no-hit bid with one out in the fourth inning with a single. Morales finished with 12 strikeouts.
Inside the Numbers:
- Morales improved to 4-0 all-time against LCU with a 0.00 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched. She has three complete shutouts and the Hillcats have a shutout win (four) in each of her four career starts against LCU.
- K'leigh Arredondo reaching base safely gives her 20 consecutive games she has reached base safely.
- LCU struck out a season-high 12 times at the plate, which matched last season's high (done twice).
- The shutout was LCU's first of the season. They were shut out seven times last season.
- Waggnor finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and Katelyn Gamble was 3-for-3 for RSU in the win.
Game 2 vs. RSU
LCU Highlights:
- Morgan Dufour went 2-for-3 with a three RBI from her three-run home run in the seventh inning with two outs.
- KK Lopez Liu went 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI.
- Alivia Villareal was 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
- Amber Carlton claimed the win in relief, allowing one hit and one baserunner in 2.0 innings of work (struck out three batters).
Turning Point:
LCU's final five batters each had an at-bat in which it the Lady Chaps were down to their last strike, with four facing a deficit.
Alexis Reed hit a fly ball to centerfield with two outs and LCU trailing 7-5, which was dropped and prolonged the game. It allowed Dufour an opportunity to bat and she took advantage of the error.
How it Happened:
- Savannah Wysocki opened the game leading off with a triple, which helped LCU take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
- After giving up a run in the bottom of the second inning, LCU regained the lead in the third inning with Lopez-Liu hitting a solo home run for a 2-1 advantage.
- Allie McFetridge hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning and it began a sequence of five straight runs for the Hillcats. Taylor Mallet had a two-run home run in the fifth inning, to aid in the scoring, which helped RSU take a 6-2 lead.
- LCU opened the sixth inning with back-to-back solo home runs by Lopez-Liu and Villarreal to cut the deficit to 6-4. The Hillcats scratched a run across in the bottom half of the sixth inning to go up 7-4 and set up the crazy seventh leading.
- LCU's first two batters were retired. Arredondo singled to give the lady Chaps their first baserunner in the seventh inning. Lopez-Liu singled on a 1-2-pitch. Villarreal singled in an RBI with a hit on an 0-2-pitch. Alexis Reed then hit an 0-2-pitch to centerfield, which was dropped and led to Dufour hitting a 1-2-pitch over the centerfield fence for a 9-7 LCU lead.
Inside the Numbers:
- LCU improved to 1-5 on the season in games in which LCU trailed after six innings.
- K'leigh Arredondo's hit in the seventh inning not only kept the Lady Chaps alive, but also kept her streak of consecutive games reaching base safely alive and it is at 21.
- The two teams combined for seven home runs in the game, with four hit by LCU. The four homers were the most since hitting four on 4/13/18 against Oklahoma Christian
- Morales, who had 25.2 scoreless innings in her career against LCU prior to the relief outing, allowed six runs (two earned) off five hits in 2.0 innings of relief work. She suffered the loss.
- RSU's Taylor Mallet was 1-for-4 with three RBI.
- Wysocki hit her sixth triple of the season in the first inning. She is one triple away from matching the national leader (Emily Truitt of Rockhurst).
Up Next:
The Lady Chaps, who have split their last four doubleheader sets in conference play, play another conference doubleheader Friday afternoon in Wichita, Kan. against Newman.
