LAWTON, Okla. (February 28, 2020)
– Last season, Lubbock Christian University split 10 of their 12 conference doubleheaders. This season, Lubbock Christian University is in a new conference (Lone Star Conference), but last season's trend is continuing, as the No.22 Lady Chaparrals split their LSC opening series with a 2-1 win and a 6-4 loss Friday afternoon at McMahon Field.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Gm.1: LCU 2, CU 1, Gm.2: CU 6, LCU 4
Records: LCU (16-4, 1-1), CU (13-8, 1-1)
Location: McMahon Field
Time of Game: Gm.1:1:40, Gm.2: 1:30
Weather: 65, sunny/clear
Game 1 – LCU vs. CU
LCU Highlights:
- Taylor Franco recorded a complete victory, allowing one run off four hits and striking out six batters.
- Addi Lewis went 1-for-2 with two RBI.
- Alivia Villarreal was 1-for-2 with a double and run scored.
Turning Point:
LCU was able to get some key defensive plays in the in the game, which combined for a pair of game-turning points. In the fifth inning, with LCU leading 2-1, Cameron's Callie Busby hit into an error, but during the play, Khmari Edwards attempted to score from second base. She gunned out at home by shortstop
Brooke Makemson, which kept LCU with the lead. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Aggies attempted a bunt with leadoff batter Maci McMurtrey, but she was retired 5-3 on the defensive play. Following a single, which put the tying run aboard, Brenna Busby hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.
How it Happened:
- With two outs in the top of the second inning, Addi Lewis singled to right field to plate Alivia Villarreal and Brooke Makemson for a 2-0 lead.
- In the bottom of the fourth inning, Cameron's Kylie French singled to left field to score their one and only run of the game.
- Taylor Franco allowed one hit over the final 13 batters faced, going 11 consecutive batters without allowing a hit over that span.
Inside the Numbers:
- Taylor Franco went 7.0 innings and allowed four hits and struck out six batters to improve to 9-2 on the season. She forced CU into 12 groundouts (one flyout), marking her second consecutive start in which she forced the opponent into 12 groundouts and one flyout. The complete game was her sixth of the season and 14th of her career
- CU and LCU were each 1-for-8 (.125) with runners on base and 1-for-8 in two-out at-bats.
- LCU middle-infielders Skylar Herrera (five assists) and Brooke Makemson (four assists) combined for nine assists defensively.
- Angela Donaldson had a sacrifice bunt, marking her first of the season and the team'ss fourth of the year.
- LCU improved to 8-5 all-time in conference openers, and the win was their first conference opening win since 2018.
Game 2 – LCU vs. CU
LCU Highlights:
- LCU fell despite a 11-6 hit advantage.
- Skylar Herrera went 4-for-4, finishing a homer shy of a cycle (she had a single, double and triple).
- Angela Donaldson went 2-for-4 with a double.
Turning Point:
Trailing 6-4 in the top of the sixth inning, LCU had the bases loaded with
Clarissa Martinez at the plate. She had been 4-for-4 on the season in bases-loaded at bats, but she unfortunately popped up and was unable to prolong a three-run inning for LCU.
How it Happened:
- Cameron pitcher Breley Webb helped her own cause at the plate with a bases-loaded double to score three runs and CU took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
- Clarissa Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to score Herrera in the third inning and it put LCU on the scoreboard.
- Cameron quickly responded in the home half of the third inning with Webb producing a two-run home run for a 5-1 advantage. They made it 6-1 in the fourth inning with a solo home run by McMurtrey.
- LCU sent nine batters to the plate in the sixth inning, leading to a trio of runs. Athena Muniz, Tyla Lee and Skylar Herrera each singled in a run before the Lady Chaps left the bases loaded.
Inside the Numbers:
- Breley Webb had an impressive game for the Aggies. She claimed the win in the circle (2-1), as she went 5.1 innings, and at the plate she was 3-for-5 with five RBI.
- LCU is now 2-2 all-time against CU.
- Skylar Herrera's career-high four hits is the most hits in a single game by a Lady Chap this season.
- LCU stranded eight runners on base in the game. They had seven at-bats with the bases loaded, but were only able to get two hits in the scenario.
- The Lady Chaps were 4-for-7 getting the leadoff batter aboard.
- Clarissa Martinez's sacrifice fly was her first of the season. LCU has six sac flies on the season and all from six different individuals.
- Alivia Villarreal was unable to reach base, ending her streak of consecutive games reaching base safely at 10 games (the longest by a Lady Chap this season).
Next:
LCU's opening week of LSC play continues Sunday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader in Oklahoma City against Oklahoma Christian.
