LUBBOCK, Texas (February 20, 2024) – In a game in which all Lubbock Christian University starters reached base safely, it came down to a pair of two-out two-run base hits to help lead the Lady Chaparrals to a 7-3 win in their Lone Star Conference series opener against Midwestern State Tuesday at Maner Park.
Maxine Valdez got the win (2-2) for Lubbock Christian (3-5, 2-2) in the circle. The right-hander went six innings, giving up three runs off four hits, allowing two walks and striking out seven batters. Taryn Westbrook pitched a scoreless seventh inning in relief of Valdez.
Senior Ally Oyanguren led the way offensively for the Chaparrals, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a home run and two RBI. Amanda Valdiviezo also drove in a pair of Lady Chaps. Tiarra Delrosario provided a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Senior Hope Banales also chipped in, going 2-for-4 for Lubbock Christian with a double.
Midwestern State (2-11, 0-4) received a 2-for-3 performance from Allie Monroe, who clocked a pair of home runs and finished with a trio of RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Chaparrals were trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Sophomore Amanda Valdiviezo drove in two runs for Lubbock Christian with a single, that scored senior Baylea Myers and sophomore Riley Flores with two outs.
The two runs drove in by Valdiviezo were the first of four consecutive runs scored for LCU. In the fifth inning, Lubbock Christian scored twice on Oyanguren's two-run homer, which brought the score to 4-1 in favor of the Chaparrals.
Midwestern State narrowed Lubbock Christian's lead to 4-3 on Monroe's second home run of the game, which was a two-run shot in the top of the sixth inning. The Chaparrals answered and stretched the advantage to 7-3 in the home half of the sixth inning. The Chaparrals put together a three-run frame, culminating in a run-scoring single from Delrosario.
GAME NOTES
» Maxine Valdez struck out seven Mustangs hitters, which places her with 414 career strikeouts. The victory in the circle has her with a career record of 38-18.
» Every Lubbock Christian starter reached base safely in the win.
» Lubbock Christian's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Chaparrals out-hit the Mustangs at a 10-5 clip. It marked the third time this season LCU posted at least 10 hits. Of MSU's five hits, three were for extra bases (two home runs and a double).
» Lubbock Christian went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position. They also posted a 5-of-11 mark at the plate in two-out at-bats and they had five RBI with two outs.
» Riley Flores was plunked for a fourth time this season. No other Lady Chap has been hit by a pitch this season.
» Ally Oyanguren led the Chaparrals at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. She connected on her first home run of the season and her sixth of her LCU career.
» Freshman Addison Lindemann led the Mustangs pitching staff, throwing six innings and striking out four batters. She fell to 0-5 with the loss, as she was credited with allowing seven runs.
» Tiarra Delrosario extended her hit streak to seven games. Hope Banales and Kamryn Gibbs are also on active hit streaks of five games. Delrosario and Banales have reached base safely in eight consecutive games.
» LCU improved to 9-4 all-time against MSU, as they won their eighth consecutive meeting against the Mustangs. The two teams were meeting in Lubbock for the first time since Apr. 11, 2021 and LCU is 4-2 against MSU at Maner Park (LCU has won three straight).
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Chaps remain at Maner Park Wednesday to close a three-game Lone Star Conference series against Midwestern State, with a 1p.m. doubleheader.
Portions of this recap was created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
