LUBBOCK, Texas (April 21, 2023) – No.16 Lubbock Christian University remains winless against nationally ranked opponents, as No.12 West Texas A&M swept a Friday doubleheader with a 6-5 and 12-2 win to open a Lone Star Conference series at Maner Park.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Game 1: WT 6 – LCU 5 / Game 2: WT 12 – LCU 2 (5 inn.)
Records: LCU (36-13, 26-12), WT (42-5, 35-5)
Location: Lubbock, Texas (Maner Park)
Time of Game: Game 1: 2:30, Game 2: 1:50
Weather: Game 1: 65-Partly Cloudy, Wind-5mph to RC / Game 2: 71-Sunny, Wind-7mph to CF (gusts to 24)

Game 1

LCU Highlights:

• Kasey Flores – 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
• Ally Oyanguren – 1-for-1, HR, 2 RBI
• Riley Flores – 2-for-3

Turning Point:
With Berkeley Quinn running at first base and representing the tying run for LCU in the sixth inning (one out), Tiarra Delrosario hit into a fielder's choice that Quinn appeared safe at second base, but it was ruled an out. Quinn in scoring position with one out could have made a big difference.  

How it Happened:
WT could not have asked for a better start to the game. Their first four batters reached base safely and a trio reached via walks. Emilee Boyer drove in a pair of runs to open the scoring. Boyer and Braeland Booth (two-out two-run single) each drove in a pair of runs in the inning, as WT produced five runs in the first inning for a quick 5-0 lead.
 
LCU attempted to counter the productivity in the home half of the inning. Kasey Flores connected with a two-run home run to cut the WT lead to 5-2. The score remained 5-2 until the fourth inning, as a leadoff error led to WT manufacturing an unearned run to increase their lead to 6-5.
 
It proved to be a valuable run, as LCU marched back in the bottom of the sixth inning. Amanda Valdiviezo led off with a solo home run and Ally Oyanguren hit a pinch-hit two-run home run over the left field scoreboard to cut the deficit to 6-5. Following the home run, Berkeley Quinn reached on a single and appeared to reach second base on a throw to second base (on a ball put into play by Tierra Delrosario with one out), but the umpire ruled fielder's choice to prevent the Lady Chaps from getting the tying run into scoring position.
  
Inside the Numbers:

• Despite going the distance for her 19^th complete game of the season (69^th complete game of her career), Taylor Franco was saddled with the loss (15-8 on the season). It was her second consecutive start in which she allowed more walks (5) than strikeouts (4), which has only occurred three times this season.
• LCU's five walks in the game marked it as one of the top seven games this season in walks issued. Of the seven games, four of the seven have been within the last nine games played and three have been within the last four games played.
• Kasey Flores connected on her 18^th home run of the season, which was her 58^th collegiate home run. The two-run shot also marked her 20^th multi-RBI game of the season.
• LCU dropped to 18-3 when scoring in the first inning.
• The Lady Chaps also moved to 27-5 when hitting at least one home run in a game.
• Ally Oyanguren hit her fourth home run of the season. Oyanguren, who has two grand slams this season, now has two of LCU's three pinch-hit home runs and she leads LCU with five pinch hits on the season.
• Freshman catcher Amanda Valdiviezo hit her fifth home run of the season.
• Riley Flores led LCU in hits (2), with her eighth multi-hit game of the season.

 
Game 2
 
LCU Highlights:

• Kasey Flores – 2-for-3, 2B
• Ally Oyanguren – 2-for-3
• Berkeley Quinn – 1-for-3

Turning Point:
Emily Boyer's three-run home run and Madison Johnson's two-run home run within a span of three batters ignited a five-run second inning for WT.  

How it Happened:
WT scored the first 12 runs of the game over the first four innings to easily take the momentum of the game. Like the first game, the game's first four batters reached base safely and three walks were issued in the first inning, and this game had WT scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. Home runs by Boyer and Johnson in the second inning highlighted a five-run frame for a 7-0 lead. WT would end up with four home runs in the game, with a home run by Shyanne Sanchez in the third inning and a second in the game by Johnson (in the fourth inning) continuing the scoring consistency in the game by the Lady Buffs.
 
LCU scored a pair of runs to avoid the shutout in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Berkeley Quinn claiming LCU's only RBI of the game.
  
Inside the Numbers:

• LCU starting pitcher Maxine Valdez suffered the loss (15-3).
• The loss was the second of the season in which the run-rule ended the game prematurely.
• LCU fell to 0-6 this season against teams nationally ranked.
• LCU dropped to 6-11 when the opposition scores first and 6-8 when the opponent scores in the first inning.
• The Lady Chaps also moved to 9-8 when they do not hit a home run.
• WT did not have a fielding error on the day, placing LCU with a 9-6 record when their opponents are error-free.
• While LCU was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, WT was 4-for-8 in the category (Emilee Boyer was 2-for-2).
• LCU's four home runs allowed were a high for the season, which matches last season's season-high mark.

 
HISTORICAL NOTE
LCU fell to 10-19 all-time against WT and they are 7-10 at home against the Lady Buffs. WT has won eight of the prior nine meetings.

WHAT'S NEXT:
The Lady Chaps play their final home game Saturday at 1 p.m., which is the series finale of the three-game set and is also Senior Day.