LUBBOCK, Texas (April 11, 2019) – Lubbock Christian University split their eighth Heartland Conference doubleheader of the season, as the Lady Chaps bounced back from a 9-2 loss with a 13-5 run-rule win in five innings against conference-leading Rogers State University Thursday at PlainsCapital Park.     
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Game 1: RSU 9, LCU 2 | Game 2: LCU 13, RSU 5 (Final in 5 inn.)
Records: LCU (26-14, 13-11), RSU (30-15, 15-7)
Location: Lubbock, Texas (PlainsCapital Park)
Time of Game: Game 1: 2:15 | Game 2: 1:45
Weather: Game 1: 55-Clear, Wind-6 to 3B | Game 2: 91-Mostly Clear, Wind-3 to 3B

Game 1 vs. RSU
 
LCU Highlights:

• Megan Darling 2-for-3.
• Lindzi Clemmer 2-for-4.
• KK Lopez-Liu (1-for-3) and Alivia Villarreal (1-for-2) each had one hit and one RBI. Villarreal's came on a solo home run.

 
Turning Point:
Two errors in the third inning led to six unanswered runs scoring in the inning and LCU was unable to respond from the deficit.
 
How it Happened:

• LCU opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run from Alivia Villarreal, who belted the tenth pitch of the at-bat beyond the centerfield fence.
• With one out in the top of the second inning, LCU committed errors on consecutive routine ground balls. RSU took advantage of the errors with six straight hits in the inning. Five were singles and the lone extra-base hit was a two-run double by Danelle Day, which was the first of the six hits. All six runs were extra-base hits.
• The Hillcats extended the lead to 7-1 in the fourth inning, with Jaylan Gibson hitting a RBI-double down the left field line.
• Lopez-Liu hit a pop-up into shallow right-centerfield, which resulted in Gibson, RSU's second baseman, falling down while fighting the sun and the ball landing harmlessly in the outfield for a RBI single. The run cut LCU's deficit to 7-2.
• RSU's Allie McFetridge powered a two-run home run over the left field fence to build the lead to 9-2.

 
 Inside the Numbers:

• LCU fell to 20-5 this season when scoring the first run of the game.

• For a second consecutive game, LCU allowed a season high in unearned runs. They topped the mark of five at St. Mary's University Tuesday with six against RSU.
• RSU's win was their second-ever win in Lubbock, where they improved to 2-17 all-time (2-18 following the second game).
• LCU was 0-for-7 in leadoff at-bats in the game.
• The loss was LCU's fourth consecutive loss. The season-high mark was their longest since a five-game losing streak in March of 2017.
• RSU was 6-of-15 with runners in scoring position, with McFetridge going 2-for-2 in those at-bats. She was 2-for-4 with three RBI in the win for RSU.
• Villarreal's home run was her third of the season.

 
Game 2 vs. RSU
 
LCU Highlights:

• K'leigh Arredondo 3-for-4 with three RBI and to runs scored.
• Savannah Wysocki was 2-for-4 with two hits, two runs and a trio of RBI.
• Amber Carlton improved to 6-1 in the circle.
• Logan Grado and Annika Schwartzenberg each had pinch-hit base hits.
• KK Lopez-Liu (2-for-3) and Morgan Dufour (2-for-4) also had multi-hit performances at the plate for LCU.

 
Turning Point:
K'leigh Arredondo produced a bases-loaded three-run double with two outs as part of a five-run second inning.
 
How it Happened:

• LCU scored nine runs over the combined second and third innings, igniting their offense with a five-run second inning. LCU sent nine batters to the plate in the second inning and they produced four hits, but none was bigger than their two-out double with the bases loaded by K'leigh Arredondo. She scored on Lopez-Liu's ensuing single for a 5-0 lead. The third inning was a quick strike by the Lady Chaps. Dufour reached on an error and Darling followed with a ground-rule double on a ball to the gap, which snuck under the fence. Logan Grado followed with a pinch-hit RBI-single for the first of four runs scored in the third inning. Wysocki would hit in a run and Villarreal walked with the bases loaded to complete the four-run inning for a 9-1 lead. RSU's run was off a solo home run by Taylor Santistevan in the top half of the third inning.
• The Hillcats answered the LCU four-run inning with a four-run top half of the fourth inning. RSU's first four batters reached base in the inning, including Rylee Delozier, who reached on a dropped third strike (wild pitch). Carlton struck out three batters in the inning, but with Delozier reaching base on her strikeout, LCU was forced to close the rally on a groundout, but it did not come before a two-run single by Sierra Skaggs.
• LCU added to the 9-5 lead with a two-out RBI-single from Wysocki in the fourth inning and then a three-run fifth inning. The fifth inning was opened by four straight singles to set up the final at-bat by Darling. She hit into a fielder's choice and while the throw from second base to first (on the attempt to double-up Darling) sailed wide of the base and Villarreal scored the walk-off run.

 
 Inside the Numbers:

• LCU returned the favor to Rogers State, as the Hillcats allowed six unearned runs (the opposite of the first game Thursday).
• The Lady Chaps produced at least 10 runs for a 14^th time this season.
• LCU was 4-of-8 at the plate in two-out at-bats, which resulted in six two-out RBI.
• While RSU was 3-for-12 with runners on base, LCU was 12-for-23, including a mark of 8-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
• Santistevan's home run for RSU ended a streak of 14.1 innings without allowing a run for Carlton, who was making her fifth appearance in the circle in the span.
• Arredondo has reached base safely in 17 consecutive games overall and 23 straight at home.

 
Up Next:
LCU and RSU have each split the first four games of their Heartland Conference season series. The rubber match is Friday at 1 p.m., with LCU hosting Rogers State at PlainsCapital Park. The game is also serving as "Senior Day" and all six seniors will be recognized following the game.