CANYON, Texas (April 7, 2024) – No.1 West Texas A&M won the rubber match of their Rivalry On The Range series with a 6-2 win over Lubbock Christian University in Lone Star Conference play Sunday at Schaeffer Park.
Taryn Westbrook (3-5) got the ball to start for Lubbock Christian (19-15, 18-12) and took the loss. She went 4.1 innings and allowed five runs. Reese Farrar pitched the final 1.2 innings and held the Lady Buffs to one hit.
Skylar Herrera had two extra base hits, which were the highlight of a 2-for-3 day, and included a double, a home run and an RBI. Hope Banales compiled a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Chaparrals got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning, as Herrera put Lubbock Christian on the board with a two-out solo home run over the right-centerfield wall off Emilee Boyer.
The Lady Buffs responded with the next three runs. They Diana Murtha double in the home-half of the first inning tied the game at 1-1, and WT's running antics on the basepaths led to a pair of runs scoring in the second inning for a 3-1 lead. Lubbock Christian scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Banales, which followed a double from Herrera and cut WT's lead to 3-2. The Lady Chaps were unable to get any closer, as West Texas A&M added three more runs on the way to a 6-2 final. Two of the runs were off the bat of Lauren Granger, who hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
GAME NOTES
» Lubbock Christian's power output was led by Herrera, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame. Her home run was her team-leading 10th of the season and 43rd of her LCU career, which tied her with Morgan Colburn (2014-16) for third in program history.
» Lubbock Christian stranded six runners, with all six stranded from the fourth inning on. They were 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
» Lubbock Christian was 0-for-7 getting the leadoff batter aboard. They were 6-for-13 in the series heading into the game.
» LCU pitchers faced 27 West Texas A&M hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out one.
» Riley Flores (4-for-9), Kamryn Gibbs (4-for-9), Skylar Herrera (4-for-10) and Hope Banales (4-for-10) each had four hits in the series for LCU. LCU hit .319 as a team in the series.
» West Texas A&M was led offensively by sophomore Lauren Granger, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Boyer led the Buffaloes pitching staff, throwing 7.0 innings and allowing two runs off eight hits. She struck out eight batters. Boyer pitched in all three games and allowed four runs off 17 hits in 16.0 combined innings in the series. She had 15 strikeouts.
HISTORICAL NOTE
LCU moves to 2-4 this season against nationally ranked programs. They also go to 11-22 all-time against WT and 4-11 all-time against WT at Schaeffer Park.
WHAT'S NEXT
Inclement weather is expected Tuesday and Wednesday in Lawton, Okla., so LCU and Cameron have agreed to move their three-game Lone Star Conference up a day. The series will now begin with a doubleheader Monday with a noon first pitch in Lawton.
