TYLER, Texas (April 26, 2024) – No.4 UT Tyler swept Lubbock Christian University in a Lone Star Conference doubleheader with a 7-3 and 4-2 win Friday at UT Tyler Softball Complex.
 
GAME 1 | Texas-Tyler 7, Lubbock Christian 3
LCU fell in the opening game to the Patriots 7-3 despite the efforts of Baylea Myers, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
 
Maxine Valdez (11-6) started and took the loss in the circle for Lubbock Christian. She allowed three runs in five innings before handing it over to the bullpen.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
UTT opened the scoring early, as Courtney Plocheck hit a double to deep left field in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. Makayla Garcia added to the lead with a double in the third inning for a 2-0 advantage. The Patriots took a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning and exploded for a four-run frame. Plocheck (solo) and Clarissa Zapata (three-run) each homered in the inning and the four-run frame had UT Tyler up 7-0.
 
LCU responded with a three-run seventh inning, with all three runs scoring on a three-run home run by Myers.
 
GAME NOTES
» Valdez had a rare outing in which she issued more walks than strikeouts, as she issued five passes and recorded one strikeout. It marked the first time this season in which it had occurred.

» Myers' home run marked the seventh of the season for the first-year Lady Chap.

» UTT pitcher Christin Haygood (12-0) held LCU hitless over a stretch of 13 batters before LCU was able to end the sequence with a three-run inning in the seventh inning.
 
GAME 2 | Lubbock Christian 8, Texas-Permian Basin 0
Tiarra Delrosario collected three hits, but LCU fell to UT Tyler 4-2 in Friday's second game of the doubleheader.
 
Teoni Lamb (9-5) started and took the loss in the circle for Lubbock Christian (25-20, 24-17). The right-hander went 5.2 innings, giving up four runs, two earned, on four hits and striking out four batters.
 
Delrosario's three-hit day led the Lady Chaps offensively. Myers furnished a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-3 with a double. Skylar Herrera also chipped in for Lubbock Christian, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a double.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
LCU got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Hope Banales was credited with an RBI by plating Kamryn Gibbs for a 1-0 LCU lead.
 
A zany play opened the door for the Patriots in the third inning. Sam Schott hit a deep fly ball to right-centerfield, which appeared to be shagged down by right fielder Delrosario. The ball ended up on the ground and the Lady Chaps assumed it was dropped on the transfer and abandoned play (home plate umpire had a raised fist signaling an out) while Schott continued running to third base. The umpires allowed Schott to remain at third base following a video review.
 
Schott would score on a single by Plocheck for the first of a trio of runs in the inning, which placed UTT with a 3-1 lead.
 
Trailing 4-1, Bailey Hughes hit a sacrifice fly to score Myers, which brought the score to 4-2 in favor of the Patriots. The Chaparrals were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
 
GAME NOTES
» Delrosario led the Chaparrals, picking up three base knocks in the ballgame. It marked her team-leading 17^th multi-hit game.

» Bailey Hughes hit her second sacrifice fly of the season (third of her LCU career) and it was LCU's 14^th of the season.

» The Lady Chaparrals out-hit the Patriots at an 8-4 clip.

» Lubbock Christian fell to 5-14 in games they do not hit a home run.

» Skylar Herrera was 1-for-4 and actively leads LCU with a four-game hit streak.

» Genesis Armendariz pitched a complete game for UTT, allowing two runs (one earned) off eight hits. She improved to 15-5 on the season.
 
HISTORICAL NOTE
UTT has won seven consecutive meetings and has a 9-3 lead in the all-time series. LCU fell to 2-5 in games played in Tyler.
 
WHAT'S NEXT

Weather permitting, the two teams conclude a LSC series Saturday at 1 p.m. in Tyler.