LUBBOCK, Texas (February 12, 2022) – Lubbock Christian University completed their opening homestand and their play in the Visit Lubbock Collegiate Classic with a pair of run-rule shortened victories, as the Lady Chaps overcame a six-run deficit to defeat Fort Lewis College 16-8 in six innings and followed with
Taylor Franco's second no-hitter of the homestand in a 12-0 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State in five innings.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Game 1: LCU 16, Fort Lewis 8 (6 inn.) | Game 2: LCU 12, Northwestern Oklahoma St. 0 (5 inn.)
Records: LCU (7-2), FLC (0-4), NWOSU (2-2)
Location: Lubbock, Texas (PlainsCapital Park)
Time of Game: Game 1: 2:45, Game 2: 1:16
Weather: 44F – Clear/Calm
Game 1 vs. Fort Lewis College
LCU Highlights:
Turning Point:
After allowing eight runs in 3.1 innings, LCU, trailing 8-2, went to the bullpen for a second time in the game and brought out
Maxine Valdez, who faced the minimum (8 batters) over 2.2 innings and did not allow a hit, which allowed the Lady Chaps to mount a comeback. Valdez struck out six of the eight batters faced.
How it Happened:
LCU pitchers
Chloe Jones and
Mattye Tyler combined to allow eight runs over 3.1 innings, but only two of the eight runs were earned. The Skyhawks had five extra base hits in the span, which took advantage of four LCU errors.
Trailing 8-2 in the in the bottom of the fourth inning, LCU chipped away at the deficit with a solo home run by
Kasey Flores deep to centerfield and a bases loaded walk to
Athena Muniz for a two-run inning to trail 8-4.
In the fifth inning, LCU exploded for 10 runs off seven hits. LCU had runs driven in off four extra-base hits, as
Brooke Makemson tripled,
Tiarra Delrosario doubled and
Tyla Lee and
Skylar Herrera combined for back-to-back home runs. Even singles came up big, as
Savannah Wysocki and Herrera each had singles resulting in two-RBI base hits.
LCU hit the run-rule mark in the sixth inning, with two scoring on a dropped fly ball hit to centerfield by
Bailey Hughes.
Inside the Numbers:
- Maxine Valdez collected the win in relief to improve to 3-1 on the season and she is 9-5 in her LCU career.
- LCU was 12-for-18 in advancing-the-runner opportunities and 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
- The Lady Chaps matched a season-high with three home runs.
- LCU won despite four errors, which is their highest total of errors since Mar. 1, 2020, and their highest total in a victory since Feb. 2, 2019.
- LCU improved to 6-0 all-time against the Skyhawks and it was their first-ever meeting in Lubbock.
Game 2 vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State
LCU Highlights:
Turning Point:
Brooke Makemson hit a pair of triples, with her first coming in the first inning, which gave LCU a 2-0 lead and set the tone.
How it Happened:
A throwing error and fielding error by the NWOSU in the bottom of the first inning led to a four-run first inning for the Lady Chaps, with the highlight of the inning coming off a triple hit by Makemson.
Another throwing error, leading to a run, was followed by an RBI-single by
Tyla Lee and LCU extended the lead to 6-0 in the second inning.
A six-run third inning ensued and it was a culmination of the prior events leading to the offensive surge. A run off a throwing error (NWOSU had four errors in the game), a single by Lee and another triple by Makemson leading to three of the four runs.
Skylar Herrera add a home run in the inning to put LCU up 12-0.
While the offense did their part, Franco did her part. She faced one batter over the minimum and struck out nine of the 16 batters faced.
Inside the Numbers:
- Franco improved to 4-0 on the season and the no-hit win placed her with a 39-19 career record, which placed her into sole possession of third on LCU's career wins list. The no-hitter was her third career no-hitter with LCU and two have come on the current homestand.
- Brooke Makemson hit three triples on the day and two in the game. The pair of triples matched a program single-game record, which was last done on Apr. 19, 2014 by Ashton Drury (Bell), who is the current assistant coach for LCU.
- LCU was 5-for-9 in two-out at-bats, as Tyla Lee and Skylar Herrera were each 2-for-2 when at the plate with two outs. Each player also had two two-out RBI.
- The win marked the 16th consecutive win by LCU against NWOSU, as the two programs used to be Sooner Athletic Conference foes. LCU improved to 20-1 all-time against the Rangers (11-0 at home).
No-Hitter Notes:
- Taylor Franco's no-hitter was the third of her career.
- The no-hitter was the second time all-time in which LCU no-hit Northwestern Oklahoma State.
List of LCU No-Hitters
1. 2/13/08 – vs. University of the Southwest (Marissa Gonzalez)
2. 3/5/08 – vs. UT-Permian Basin (Marissa Gonzalez)
3. 3/19/08 – vs. Dordt College (Marissa Gonzalez)
4. 5/17/09 – vs. Shorter College (Alyssa Gutierrez)
5. 2/20/10 – vs. Northwestern Oklahoma St. University (Alyssa Gutierrez)
6. 4/19/10 – vs. Oklahoma Baptist University (Alyssa Gutierrez)
7. 4/12/11 – vs. University of the Southwest (Meagan Navarrette / Carollin Hall)
8. 4/12/11 – vs. University of the Southwest (Alyssa Freight / Amanda Longorio)
9. 3/16/12 – vs. Waldorf College (Sarah Mendez)
10. 4/1/12 – vs. Oklahoma Baptist University (Sarah Mendez)
11. 2/9/13 – vs. University of the Southwest (Katera Eltosie)
12. 2/16/13 – vs. Graceland University (Katera Eltosie)
13. 3/12/13 – vs. Mount Marty College (Tori Bayer)
14. 2/20/16 – vs. Clarke University (Katlyn Homes)
15. 3/21/17 – vs. Eastern New Mexico University (Katlyn Homes)
16. 2/20/18 – vs. St. Edward's University (Monique Francois)
17. 2/15/19 – vs. University of the Southwest (
Taylor Franco)
18. 3/22/21 – vs. UT-Permian Basin (
Maxine Valdez)
19. 2/10/22 – vs. Oklahoma Baptist (
Taylor Franco)
20. 2/12/22 – vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State (
Taylor Franco)
WHAT'S NEXT:
LCU heads to the Oklahoma City metro area this upcoming week for five games spread out at three different locations, but with snow expected in Oklahoma Thursday, some scheduling adjustments could occur.
