LAWTON, Okla. (April 9, 2024) – Bailey Hughes hit a pinch-hit RBI-single for the first of five unanswered runs, and pitcher Maxine Valdez retired the final 17 batters faced, as Lubbock Christian won the rubber game of a Lone Star Conference series 5-1 over Cameron Tuesday at a wet McMahon Field.
Maxine Valdez (9-5) got the win in the circle for Lubbock Christian (21-16, 20-13). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on four hits, allowing one walk and striking out four.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The start of the game was all Cameron, as they had all four of their hits within their first 10 batters to the plate. Tinley Schmidgall capped a trio of consecutive hits in the first inning with an RBI-double to give Cameron a 1-0 lead. Lubbock Christian tied the game in the top of the third inning, as they got an RBI pinch-hit single from Bailey Hughes, scoring Riley Flores from second base.
The score stayed at 1-1 until the sixth inning, when the Lady Chaps took the lead with a two-out RBI-single off the bat of Hope Banales, which brought the score to 2-1 in favor of LCU. Lubbock Christian added insurance with a three-run seventh inning. Baylea Myers opened the scoring in the frame with a RBI-double down the left field line. An error allowed Kat Prisock to score and a two-out bases-loaded walk issued to Banales closed the scoring.
GAME NOTES
» Lubbock Christian's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed three runs across. The late surge allowed LCU move to 2-9 on the season when trailing after two innings and 2-1 when tied after five innings.
» Maxine Valdez's complete game was her 28th career complete game (eighth of the season). She is 3-1 in her career against Cameron with a 0.94 in eight appearances with 32 strikeouts in 29.2 innings.
» The Chaparrals out-hit the Aggies at a 6-4 clip. LCU is 19-7 this season when out-hitting the opposition.
» Banales stole two bases in Tuesday's game, which matched a career high. It is third time this season a Lady Chaps member had had at least two stolen bases in a game (second for Banales).
» Lubbock Christian went 4-for-8 (.500) with runners in scoring position. Hope Banales and Bailey Myers each went 2-for-2 in the series with runners in scoring position.
» Maxine Valdez limited Cameron to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Valdez faced 27 Cameron hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out four.
» The Chaparrals drew six walks from Cameron pitching.
» LCU did not have a home run in the game. They are 4-12 this season in games in which they do not hit home runs.
» Bailey Hughes hit her sixth pinch-hit base hit of the season (2-for-2 in the rile in the series). She is 6-for-12 (.500) in a pinch-hit role and her six pinch-hit hits leads LCU.
» Banales led the Chaparrals at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI. It marked her sixth multi-RBI game of the season.
» Baylea Myers' double in the game extended her hit streak to five games and she actively leads LCU in the category.
» Cameron was led offensively by Schmidgall, who went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. She was also the pitcher of record and fell to 4-4 on the season.
» Myers led LCU in the series with a .429 average off a 3-for-7 performance at the plate. All three hits were for extra bases (two doubles and a homer) and she co-led the series in RBI with three (joined Ally Oyanguren). Tiarra Delrosario led LCU in hits in the series with four (4-for-10).
HISTORICAL NOTE
The win has LCU leading the all-time series 8-6 and LCU is 5-2 all-time in games played at McMahon Field in Lawton.
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU returns home Saturday and hosts Angelo State for a Lone Star Conference, which begins with a 3 p.m. contest at Maner Park. They will play a doubleheader Sunday to conclude the series.
