LUBBOCK, Texas (February 8, 2020) – Lubbock Christian University extended the win streak and flawless season record to 7-0 Saturday, as they collected a 10-2 win over Oklahoma Baptist and a 5-4 win over Nebraska – Kearney Saturday at PlainsCapital Park in the second day of games at the Lubbock Sports College Invitational.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Gm 1: LCU 10, OBU 2 (Final in 5 inn.), Gm 2: LCU 5, UNK 4
Records: LCU (5-0), OBU (3-6), UNK (1-1)
Location: PlainsCapital Park
Time of Game: Gm1: 1:31, Gm2: 1:51
Weather: 61 - sunny and clear
Game 1 – LCU vs. OBU
LCU Highlights:
Turning Point:
A 10-run first inning was a quick strike to the game's momentum. LCU's first nine batters reached base safely to start the game.
How it Happened:
- In the opening frame, LCU scored 10 runs off four hits, as pitchers Bayle Short (0.0, five faced) and Kayleigh Jones combined for five walks and a hit batter in the inning. Tyla Lee and Alexa Riggs each walked with the bases loaded and Breanna Anderson was beaned with the bases loaded to plate three of the runs. Two batters after Anderson was Herrera, who hit a grand slam home run.
- Despite the offensive outburst, LCU's final 13 batters did not get a hit.
Inside the Numbers:
- LCU's win marked LCU's third game to end early. LCU has had two games end in extra innings, three games end early and two games in regulation innings (seven innings).
- The Lady Chaps were meeting the Bison for the first time since 2013 (first meeting as NCAA foes) and improved to 21-4 all-time and 7-0 in Lubbock.
- Pitcher Jaelyn Zuniga made her LCU debut in the circle and did not allow a hit, while striking out three batters in the 2.0 innings of work.
- LCU was 4-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
- Herrera hit her first career LCU grand slam. The last LCU slam was by Morgan Dufour on Apr. 2, 2019 against Eastern New Mexico.
- Maxine Valdez was credited with the win and improves to 2-0 on the season. She went 3.0 innings and allowed two runs off five hits.
Game 2 – LCU vs. UNK
LCU Highlights:
Turning Point:
Taylor Franco, pitching in relief, was able to get out of a jam, as UNK had the tying run on second base with one out. Franco forced a pair of groundouts to end the threat. Of the 10 put-outs against her off balls put into play, she forced eight grounds and two fly outs.
How it Happened:
- Kaitlyn Johnson's two run home run in the visiting half of the first inning (2-0 UNK lead) was matched by LCU in the bottom of the inning. Clarissa Martinez doubled to left field and Schwartzenberg singled in a run to tie the game 2-2.
- Trailing 3-2, LCU took the lead with a three-run fourth inning. Breanna Anderson scored on an error before Muniz plated Lee with a double and then came around to score on a ball put into play by Savannah Wysocki.
- An error by LCU led to the UNK run in the top of the fifth inning, but Franco was able to get the key groundouts to avoid an LCU loss.
Inside the Numbers:
- LCU's 7-0 season start is their best since a 7-0 start in 2017.
- The Lady Chaps meeting was the first in program history against UNK.
- Pitcher Taylor Franco (4-0) has now pitched 22.2 innings on the season without issuing a walk (19 strikeouts).
- LCU was 5-for-12 (.417) and UNK was 1-for-8 (.125) in two-out at-bats, but each team had two to-out-RBI.
- Wysocki finished the game with a stolen base to extend her streak of games with at least one stolen base to five consecutive games (eight thefts during the span).
Alexis Ray had a triple for UNK, which is the first triple allowed by LCU this season.
