DENTON Texas (February 24, 2025) – Texas Woman's surged ahead with a four-run sixth inning to defeat No. 23 Lubbock Christian University 4-1 in the opener, but the Lady Chaparrals responded with an 11-1 run-rule victory, securing a split in Monday's Lone Star Conference doubleheader at Dianne Baker Field.
Game 1
The Lady Chaps took a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning, but could not hang on and fell 4-1 to the Pioneers in the opener.
Emily Dix (4-2) took the loss in relief for LCU (12-5, 3-4). Teoni Lamb started the ballgame and went five shutout innings while allowing two hits, walking two and striking out six.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lubbock Christian grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. Yaya Kaaialii led off with a walk, and Boyd followed with a single to left. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners over, Bailey Hughes reached on a fielder's choice, with Boyd advancing to third and Kaaialii getting thrown out at home. On a double-steal situation, a throw to second base was botched by the shortstop. Boyd, breaking on the throw, was able to steal home and Hughes advanced to second base on the error.
Texas Woman's offense was stifled by Lamb through five innings, managing only two hits. However, the Pioneers broke through in the sixth when Marissa Espinoza singled up the middle, followed by an RBI single from Lizzie Smith to tie the game. Hawwa Townsend then doubled to give TWU the lead, setting up Malarie Medina's two-run homer to provide key insurance runs.
Randi Crawford (4-0) shut the door in the seventh, striking out two of the final three batters to secure the complete-game victory.
GAME NOTES
» Texas Woman's was 0-for-7 with runners on base until the fourth-run sixth inning.
» Baylea Myers led the Chaparrals at the plate, going 2-for-3 and was the lone Lady Chap with a multi-hit game.
» Texas Woman's was led offensively by sophomore Malarie Medina, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» The Lady Chaps were 1-for-10 with runners on base.
Game 2
Lubbock Christian received contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Lady Chaps put 11 runs on the board and defeat the TWU 11-1 in the second game.
Freshman Natalee Gray (3-1) started in the circle and picked up the win for Lubbock Christian (13-5, 4-4). The right-hander went 4.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits, allowing four walks and striking out three. Another freshman, Kendall Ward, also made an impact in the circle for LCU, throwing 1.1 shutout innings while allowing no hits for the save.
At the plate, LCU was led by Baylea Myers, who went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, a walk and three RBI. Kendra Levesque compiled a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Kawehi Ili also helped out for LCU, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.
Allison Gonzalez (4-2) suffered the loss for Texas Woman's, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings before exiting in the fifth.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lubbock Christian (13-5, 4-4 LSC) struck first in the second inning when Kristen Boyd's RBI-double brought home Yaya Kaaialii for a 1-0 lead. Texas Woman's (9-3, 5-3 LSC) responded in the third, capitalizing on a throwing error by the catcher that allowed Lauryn Davies to score, tying the game 1-1.
The Lady Chaps regained the lead in the fourth when Ashlinn Hamilton scored on an inside-the-park little league home run, making it 2-1. The game broke open in the fifth as LCU's bats came alive. Kadin Vire led off with a double, followed by a single from Madison Ruiz. Baylea Myers drew a walk to load the bases, and Kendra Levesque cleared them with a three-run double to give LCU a 5-1 advantage.
LCU put the game out of reach in the sixth, scoring six more runs. Myers launched a three-run homer to left field, extending the lead to 9-1. Levesque and Kaaialii followed with singles before Kawehi Ili doubled in two more runs, pushing the lead to 11-1.
Texas Woman's struggled offensively, managing only four hits while committing four errors. Vivica Hernandez was a bright spot, going 2-for-3 at the plate, while Davies recorded the Pioneers only run.
Lubbock Christian finished with 15 hits, led by Levesque, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, and Myers, who had three hits, including a homer and three RBIs.
GAME NOTES
» Lubbock Christian got three-hit games from both Myers and Levesque. Myers finished the day 5-for-6 with nine total bases. Levesque was 3-for-6 with a trio of RBI in the doubleheader.
» The Lady Chaps power output was led by Myers, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame. Included in the mix was her team co-leading fourth home run of the season. Myers has eight career home runs with the Lady Chaps. Myers was 4-for-5 in the doubleheader in at-bats with two outs.
» Every Lubbock Christian starter reached base safely in the win.
» Five Lady Chaps had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Chaparrals had a total of 15 hits (out-hit the Pioneers at a 15-4 clip). It marked their ninth game this season with at least 10 hits.
» Lubbock Christian went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position. On the day, LCU was .333 in the category, with Ruiz and Ili each going 2-for-2 in at-bats with runners in scoring position.
» Lubbock Christian pitchers limited Texas Woman's to just 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. TWU was 3-for-10 in the category for the doubleheader.
» The win was LCU's first road win of the season and they are now 1-3 in road play this season.
HISTORY LESSON
Monday's split places LCU with an 11-5 series advantage over TWU all-time. LCU moved to 4-3 all-time in games played in Denton.
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU returns home for a pair of doubleheaders, as they host Texas A&M International Friday (4 & 6 p.m.) and Texas A&M-Kingsville Sunday (1 & 3 p.m.) at Maner Park.
