LUBBOCK, Texas (April 18, 2021) – Rebounding from a 2-1 loss in the opening game of a Lone Star Conference doubleheader, Lubbock Christian University hit a season-high four home runs to defeat Texas A&M International 8-1 to split the Sunday series at PlainsCapital Park.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Game 1: TAMIU 2, LCU 1 | Game 2: LCU 8, TAMIU 1
Records: LCU (26-13, 14-10), TAMIU (21-16, 14-10)
Location: Lubbock Texas (PlainsCapital Park)
Time of Game: Game 1: 1:41 | Game 2: 1:33
Weather: Game 1: 54, sunny, wind-8mph to home | Game 2: 59, sunny, wind-7mph to home
Game 1
LCU Highlights:
Turning Point:
Darrian Smith's two-out two-run base hit turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 TAMIU lead in the top of the sixth inning..
How it Happened:
- Wysocki produced a two-out hit to left field, as TAMIU left fielder Morgan Chavarria was unable to complete the sliding catch, scoring Gibbs for a 1-0 LCU lead in the third inning.
- TAMUK took the lead in the sixth inning. With two aboard and no outs (runner at third base), LCU was able to get two ground-outs to hold the runner at third base. The runner, Chavarria, would score on a two-out base hit by Smith, which also scored Heather Ruiz from second base.
- LCU was able to get the tying run to third base in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Chloe White popped up to end the threat.
Inside the Numbers:
- Taylor Franco took the hard-luck loss (13-6), as for the fifth time this season, LCU scored less than two runs during her start. Franco went the first 5.0 innings (18 batters) without allowing the first hit of the game.
- LCU fell to 24-2 on the season in scenarios in which they scored first, falling for the second time this season in the situation.
- Each team was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and LCU was 1-for-10 with runners on base.
- TAMIU pitcher Erika Cortez forced LCU into 14 fly outs (three ground-outs), while Franco forced TAMIU into 13 ground-outs (two fly outs).
- Athena Muniz had her streak of consecutive games reaching base safely end at 19 games.
- Prior to the game, LCU's Alivia Villarreal was recognized as the lone senior on Senior Day. LCU also recognized senior members of the Dustdevils.
Game 2
LCU Highlights:
Turning Point:
Following a TAMIU run in the top half of the third inning, LCU responded with back-to-back home runs by
Tyla Lee and
Athena Muniz in the home half of the inning to extend their lead to 5-1.
How it Happened:
- Gibbs opened the scoring with a single in the second inning before Wysocki hit a two-run double to cap a three run inning for a 3-0 lead.
- Shelby Edwards bunt single also involved a throwing error, which allowed Chevarria to score to cut LCU's lead to 3-1 in the top of the second inning.
- LCU responded with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the second inning from Lee and Muniz for a 5-1 LCU lead.
- Brooke Makemson (fifth inning) and Angela Donaldson (leading off the sixth inning) both hit solo shots to build the lead to 7-1.
- Wysocki drove in the final run in the sixth inning with a two-out single, giving her three two-out RBI in the game.
Inside the Numbers:
- LCU produced four home runs, which was a season-high tally and the most since they hit four on Mar. 13, 2019 against Rogers State.
- Dakota Stotyn (9-3) went seven innings in the circle for a third time this season. Her six strikeouts is a season-high mark.
- Keeping the trend from the opener, TAMIU pitcher Darrian Smith forced LCU into nine fly outs (two ground-outs) and Stotyn forced TAMIU into 11 ground-outs (two fly outs).
- Wysocki had two multi-hit games on the day and leads LCU with 17 multi-hit games this season.
- Lee (sixth of the season and her LCU career), Muniz (seventh of the season and eighth of her LCU career), Makemson (eighth of the season and 10th of her LCU career) and Donaldson (fourth of the season and ninth of her LCU career) made up LCU's four home runs.
- The contests were LCU's final regular season home games and they moved to 17-7 at home on the season.
- LCU moved to 19-9 all-time against TAMIU with the doubleheader split.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sunday marked LCU's final regular season home games and they play their final six regular season games on the road, beginning with a doubleheader in San Antonio, Texas Friday against St. Mary's.
