LUBBOCK, Texas (April 19, 2024) – Maxine Valdez, appearing in her final home game, became the third pitcher in Lubbock Christian University program history to reach 500 career strikeouts as the Lady Chaparrals completed a three-game Lone Star Conference sweep of UT Permian Basin with an 8-1 win Friday afternoon on Senior Day at Manor Park.
 
Valdez (10-5) entered the game needing three strikeouts to reach 500 and she knocked it out in the top of the first inning striking out the side. She finished with eight strikeouts and went 5.2 innings, giving up one run on five hits and walking one for Lubbock Christian (25-18, 24-15). Taryn Westbrook also made an impact in the circle for the Chaparrals, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings while allowing one hit.
 
Offensively, LCU out-hit the Falcons 7-6 with hits coming from seven different Lady Chaps.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Lubbock Christian's offense started clicking early and put up four runs in the first inning. RBI by Tiarra Delrosario (double), Skylar Herrera (single) and Baylea Myers (fielder's choice) put LCU up 3-0 before the first out of the frame was produced. Riley Flores hit a sacrifice fly to complete the scoring in the inning.
 
The Falcons responded with the only run of the game in the second inning. Lubbock Christian pushed across in the third inning, as Hanna Wells, who took part in the Senior Day pregame festivities, hit two-out RBI-double to place LCU's lead at 5-1. The Lady Chaps built the lead to 6-1 in the fifth inning off an error, and closed the scoring with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, which included an Ally Oyanguren RBI-single.
 
GAME NOTES
» Valdez is the third pitcher in LCU history to reach 500 strikeouts. The only LCU pitchers with more strikeouts are Katera Eltsosie (613) and Taylor Franco (589). She was making her 102^nd career appearance, which is also third behind Eltsosie (142) and Franco (132).

» Prior to the game, LCU celebrated Senior Day, recognizing LCU student-athletes playing their final season, who were not recognized last season (some players chose to be recognized last season and then decided to use their COVID season). Hope Banales, Kamryn Gibbs, Skylar Herrera, Ally Oyanguren, Hanna Wells and Taryn Westbrook were each recognized. All participated in the game.

» Riley Flores hit her third sacrifice fly of the season. It marked consecutive games LCU produced a sacrifice fly after ending a streak of 15 consecutive games without a sacrifice fly. LCU has 13 sac-flies on the season.

» The Lady Chaps improved to 18-2 in games in which they score at least six runs. LCU went without a home run in the game and are now 5-13 in games they do not homer (improved to 20-6 in games the opposition does not homer).

» Senior Kamryn Gibbs stole two bases in Friday's game, marking her first multi-stolen base game this season and ninth of her career. She has 52 stolen bases in her career, which ranks eighth in program history.

» Lubbock Christian pitchers limited Texas-Permian Basin to just 1-for-10 (.100) with runners in scoring position. UTPB went 1-for-15 (.067) in the scenario in the series and 2-for-26 (.077) in the series with runners on base.

» The Lady Chaps drew nine walks from Texas-Permian Basin pitching (they drew 20 in the series). Hannah Wells walked four times in the series.
 
» Texas-Permian Basin was led offensively by senior Melayna Lopez, who went 2-for-3 with a double.

» LCU out-scored UTPB 24-1 in the three-game series. Riley Flores led LCU in the series going 5-for-9 (.556). Baylea Myers and Skylar Herrera each had four RBI in the series.

HISTORICAL NOTE
LCU improved to 36-0 all-time overall and 22-0 all-time at home against UTPB.
 
WHAT'S NEXT

LCU closes the regular season in Tyler, Texas with a three game series against UT Tyler. The series begins Friday with a doubleheader.