CANYON, Texas (May 3, 2024) – Maxine Valdez pitched a complete-game three-hit shutout and Kamryn Gibbs provided the game's only offense, as No.6-seed Lubbock Christian University upset No.3-seed No.21 Angelo State 1-0 to advance to the Semifinals of the LSC Championships Friday afternoon at Schaeffer Park. LCU's first-ever LSC Championship win advances them to face No.2-seed No.3 UT Tyler at 4 p.m. at Schaeffer Park.
Valdez (12-7) went the distance for Lubbock Christian (26-21), giving up three hits and striking out eight. LCU had to overcome a 14-strikeout performance from ASU's Cheyenne Floyd (20-8), who held LCU to five hits in 7.0 innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game's only offense came in the third inning, as senior Kamryn Gibbs put Lubbock Christian on the board with a one-out solo home run off Floyd. A high-arching blast that carried over the 15-foot left field wall.
GAME NOTES
» Valdez tossed a three-hit shutout for the Chaparrals for her 15th career shutout. It marked her 31st complete game of her career, matching her with Marissa Gonzalez for fourth all-time in program history. She claimed her 48th career win, and her eight strikeouts have her with 519 career Ks.
» LCU struck out 14 times at the plate, which is a season high and the most since striking out 17 times on Feb. 25, 2023 in a 1-0 win over Texas Woman's… their last 1-0 victory.
» The win was LCU's first of the season (1-13) when scoring less than three runs.
» The Chaparrals out-hit the Rams at a 5-3 clip.
» Valdez faced 27 Angelo State hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out eight.
» Gibbs led the Chaparrals at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Her home run was her seventh of the season and the 20th of her career. The home run was LCU's second-ever home run in a LSC Championship tournament game.
» LCU improved to 21-6 this season in games in which they hit at least one home runs.
HISTORICAL NOTE
LCU improved to 2-1 against Angelo State in postseason play (1-0 in LSC Championships) and they are 7-12 all-time against ASU. The Lady Chaps are now 1-3 all-time in LSC Championship contests. They also improve to 4-9 this season in games against nationally ranked teams (2-5 away from home).
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU plays at 4 p.m. in the Semifinals of the LSC Championships against No.2-seed No.3 UT Tyler in the single-elimination event. The winner advances to Saturday's championship game.
