LUBBOCK, Texas (March 15, 2025) – Lubbock Christian University secured a thrilling doubleheader sweep to open Lone Star Conference divisional play Saturday at Maner Park. The Lady Chaps claimed an 8-6 victory in the opener, fueled by a pivotal two-run sixth inning, before staging a dramatic comeback in Game 2, erasing a 7-0 deficit with eight unanswered runs over the final three innings, capped by a walk-off finish.
Game 1
Lubbock Christian held off a late push from Eastern New Mexico to claim an 8-6 victory in Saturday afternoon's opener at Maner Park. The Chaps (18-9) rode a strong offensive performance and a clutch sixth inning to outlast the Greyhounds (16-11).
Emily Dix (6-3) earned the win in relief, allowing one earned run over an inning of work. Kendall Ward picked up her fifth save with a clean seventh inning, retiring all three batters she faced. Marissa Rodriguez (5-5) took the loss, surrendering eight earned runs over 5.1 innings.
Meneses led Eastern New Mexico at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs, while Valeria Contreras and Alondra Vasquez each added two hits. LCU was paced by Boyd, who finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs and two walks, and Levesque, who notched two hits and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lubbock Christian jumped ahead early, plating four runs in the bottom of the first after Eastern New Mexico put up three in the top of the inning. Kendra Levesque and Kristen Boyd each delivered RBI singles, while Ashlinn Hamilton and Riley Flores added run-scoring hits to give the Chaps a 4-3 lead.
After a scoreless second and third, Kawehi Ili extended the LCU lead with a solo home run to right field in the fourth. Eastern New Mexico responded in the top of the fifth when Alexa Ayala drew a bases-loaded walk, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
The Lady Chaps capitalized on a Greyhound miscue in the fifth, as Flores' single to left and an outfield error brought home pinch-runner Cat Prisock to push the lead to 6-4. Eastern New Mexico fought back in the sixth, tying the game after Christina Meneses' RBI single and a defensive miscue allowed another run to score.
With the score knotted at 6-6, the Chaps struck the decisive blow in the bottom of the sixth. Boyd came through with a two-run single up the middle, scoring Yaya Kaaialii and Kendra Levesque to give LCU the final 8-6 advantage.
GAME NOTES
» Starting pitcher Teoni Lamb struck out six Greyhounds hitters.
» Every Lubbock Christian starter reached base safely in the win.
» Kawehi Ili's home run was her second home run of the season.
» Lubbock Christian went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Kristen Boyd led the Lady Chaparrals at the plate, going 2-for-2 with three RBI.
» Kendall Ward recorded her fifth save of the season, which co-leads the nation.
Game 2
Lubbock Christian University erased a seven-run deficit with eight unanswered runs over the final three innings, capping the comeback with a walk-off sacrifice fly by Riley Flores to complete a two-run inning to defeat Eastern New Mexico 8-7. The rally secured a doubleheader sweep for the Lady Chaps to open Lone Star Conference divisional play.
Reese Farrar (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Lubbock Christian (19-9, 10-8). The right-hander went 2.1 shutout innings without giving up a hit, no walks and striking out three.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Eastern New Mexico (16-12) built an early lead with three runs in the first inning, as Gabriel Rofii delivered a two-run single up the middle, and Manuel Guillen followed with an RBI single. The Greyhounds extended their advantage to 7-0 in the fifth inning when Marquez Rodriguez ripped a two-run single and an additional run scored on the play due to an errant throw.
Lubbock Christian began chipping away in the bottom of the fifth, scoring their first run on an RBI walk to Ashlinn Hamilton. The breakthrough came in the sixth when Kadin Vire crushed a two-run homer to left, cutting the deficit to 7-3. After a pitching change, the Lady Chaps pounced on reliever Cierra Smith, with Baylea Myers and Yaya Kaaialii reaching safely before Kendra Levesque laced an RBI double. Kristen Boyd and Hamilton followed with run-scoring singles, bringing LCU within one at 7-6.
In the seventh, Myers led off with a single, and Kaaialii followed with a hit up the middle. Levesque kept the rally going with a single to left, loading the bases. Boyd then tied the game with an RBI single, and with one out, Riley Flores lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Kaaialii to race home for the game-winning run.
GAME NOTES
» LCU improved to 4-1 in one-run games and have won four consecutive meeting the scenario.
» Yaya Kaaialii compiled three base knocks in the game for Lubbock Christian.
» The Chaparrals out-hit the Greyhounds at an 11-8 clip.
» Lubbock Christian pitchers faced 34 Eastern New Mexico hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out five.
» The Chaparrals drew a season-high 10 walks from Eastern New Mexico pitching. It is their highest walk total since drawing 10 on May 13, 2021 against St. Edward's/
» Vire went 1-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. It was her second home run of the season.
» Riley Flores hit her team co-leading third sac fly of the season, as LCU has produced 15 sacrifice flies this season.
» The sweep places LCU with a 12-3 home record this season at Maner Park.
HISTORY LESSON
The afternoon sweep places LCU with a four-game win streak against ENMU, as LCU improves to 46-1 all-time against the Greyhounds. There have been eight one-run decisions in the mix (all won by LCU). LCU is 24-0 at home against ENMU.
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU remains home Sunday to host Western New Mexico with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Maner Park.
