LUBBOCK, Texas (April 21, 2023) – No.16 Lubbock Christian University was an out away from avoiding a series sweep, but No.12 West Texas A&M's Ruby Salzman hit a two-run home run to force extra innings. She followed with a two-run double in extra innings to complete the series sweep, as the Lady Buffs put a damper on LCU's Senior Day with an 8-5 win Saturday at Maner Park.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: WT 8 – LCU 5 (11 inn.)
Records: LCU (36-14, 26-13), WT (43-5, 36-5)
Location: Lubbock, Texas (Maner Park)
Time of Game: 3:20
Weather: 62-Partly Cloudy, Windy 33mph to home
Game 1
LCU Highlights:
Turning Point:
With two outs in the top of the seventh inning and LCU leading 5-3, West Texas A&M's Ruby Salzman hit a line drive home run over the centerfield wall to tie the game at 5-5, which forced extra innings.
How it Happened:
Berkeley Quinn and
Tiarra Delrosario opened the game with singles, which setup a sacrifice fly into right field in foul territory by
Kasey Flores for the game's first lead. WT tied the game in the top of the third inning with Brittni Rufus hitting a ball down the right field line resulting in an inside the park home run.
In the bottom of the third inning, LCU had a two-out rally. With two outs and nobody aboard, Delrosario and
Hope Banales singled and
Kasey Flores walked to load the bases.
Skylar Herrera stepped to the plate and hit a grand slam home run into the teeth of the wind to give LCU a 5-1 lead.
LCU did not score was limited to five hits the rest of the way. WT rallied back and did most of their damage with two outs. Gabie McConnell hit a two-out RBI-single in the fifth inning and scored on a wild pitch to draw the Lady Chaps within two (5-3). McConnell reached again in the seventh inning on a fielders choice, which had her aboard first base with two outs. Salzman came to the plate and connected on a home run to tie the game at 5-5.
A leadoff walk in the top of the 11
th inning, followed by a single, ignited a multitude of fielders choices. LCU was able to get two outs at home plate and a run scored off an LCU error for a 6-5 Lady Buff advantage. Salzman came up again and hit a double to left field with two outs, adding two more runs to extend the lead.
Inside the Numbers:
- Maxine Valdez was issued the loss in relief, which placed her record to 15-4 on the season.
- Taylor Franco started her 107th career game, which matched the LCU record for starts with Katera Eltsosie (2013-2017).
- Skylar Herrera connected on her eighth home run of the season and it was her first grand slam.
The slam is LCU's fourth of the season. Over her career, she now has 31 home runs which moved her into a share of sixth all-time in program history.
- LCU had their opportunities. Over the final three innings, LCU was 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position (no runs scored) with an opportunity to end the game with a run.
- LCU dropped to 18-4 when scoring in the first inning. They also suffered their second loss when leading after four innings (now 30-2 in the category).
- The Lady Chaps also moved to 27-6 when hitting at least one home run in a game.
- LCU fell to 0-7 this season against teams nationally ranked.
- The extra-inning loss was LCU's first of the season, as they are now 5-1 in games needing "extras".
- Ally Oyanguren led LCU in the series in hits (5), as she was 5-for-9 at the plate in the series with two RBI.
- Senior Day recognized senior members of the Lady Chaps, as Tiarra Delrosario, Berkeley Quinn, Maxine Valdez, Taylor Franco and Kasey Flores were each honored prior to the game.
- If the game did mark the final home game of the season (never know what postseason holds), LCU completed their home schedule with a 24-8 record. The 24 wins at home are the most since posting 29 home wins (29-2) in 2014.
HISTORICAL NOTE
LCU fell to 10-20 all-time against WT and they are 7-11 at home against the Lady Buffs. WT has won nine of the prior 10 meetings.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Lady Chaps hit the road next week, heading to Odessa, Texas Friday to open a three-game series against UT Permian Basin.
