LUBBOCK, Texas (March 2, 2025) – Texas A&M-Kingsville's Arianna Alaniz made history at Maner Park, becoming the first pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter against Lubbock Christian University on their home field. Despite allowing a lone run, Alaniz dominated in the opener, leading No. 22 LCU to a 9-1 defeat. She continued to make an impact in the second game, earning a save as TAMUK completed the doubleheader sweep. LCU's offense struggled throughout the day, managing hits from only three different Lady Chaps, as a late push wasn't enough in a 5-2 Lone Star Conference loss.
 
Game 1
Lubbock Christian ran into a buzzsaw in the circle in the opener, as freshman Arianna Alaniz tossed a no-hitter with nine strikeouts in 5.0 innings for Texas A&M-Kingsville, leading the Javelinas past the Lady Chaps 9-1.
 
Teoni Lamb (3-3) started and took the loss in the circle for Lubbock Christian (15-6, 6-5). In the batter's box, LCU's Piper Garcia produced their lone RBI.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Javelinas broke the game open in the second inning when Dakota Martinez delivered a pinch-hit grand slam to center field, as the ball put into the Jetstream scored Sophie Campbell, Kaylynne Ruiz, and Bella Ramirez for a 4-0 lead. LCU got one run back in the bottom half, as Yaya Kaaialii worked a walk, later scoring when Piper Garcia was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. However, the Lady Chaps stranded the bases full, missing an opportunity to cut further into the deficit.
 
TAMUK  extended its lead in the third inning as Ruiz homered to left, driving in Campbell to make it 6-1. Two more runs came in the fourth when Lindsey Evans launched a two-run home run for their third dinger of the game. Ruiz capped off the scoring in the fifth with an RBI single, bringing home pinch-runner Elena Gonzales. LCU could not muster a response, going down in order in the bottom of the fifth to seal the loss.
 
GAME NOTES
» The no-hitter marked the third time in program history LCU has been no-hit and the first since Mar. 21, 2018 at Texas A&M International. It was the first time LCU has ever been no-hit at home. Of the now-three no-hitters completed against LCU, one has occurred at home, on the road and in a neutral site game (Feb. 17, 2018 in Tucson, Ariz. against Dixie State… now Utah Tech).
 
» Garcia led the Lady Chaps at the plate, going 0-for-1 with an RBI.
 
» The loss was LCU's first of the season in run-rule fashion and the first since falling 9-1 at No.1 West Texas A&M on Apr. 5, 2024. It is the first time in program history LCU has suffered a run-rule loss to an unranked opponent.
 
Game 2
The Lady Chaparrals took a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning, but could not hang on and fell 5-2 to the Javelinas.
 
Ashlinn Hamilton (2-1) came out of the bullpen for Lubbock Christian (15-7, 6-6) and took the loss. Freshman Natalee Gray was a bright spot for the Chaparrals, starting the ballgame and throwing five innings, giving up one run on four hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
LCU capitalized in the first inning, plating two runs without registering a hit. Kadin Vire led off with a single and stole second before a hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases. Yaya Kaaialii drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the first run, and Riley Flores followed with another walk to push across the second. The Lady Chaps had a chance for more, but a strikeout and a groundout ended the inning.
 
From there, Texas A&M-Kingsville's pitching took control. Esther Martinez (2-1) worked four scoreless innings in relief, scattering four hits while keeping LCU off the board. Meanwhile, the Javelinas clawed their way back, breaking through in the fifth with a solo home run from Kaylynne Ruiz to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
The momentum swung in the sixth when, following a pitching change to start the inning, Lindsey Evans hit a leadoff triple and scored on an RBI single by AJ Jasso. After a another pitching change for LCU, Kingsville kept the pressure on as a two-run single from Ruiz put the Javelinas ahead 4-2. In the seventh, a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt set up another insurance run, as Alexis Soliz's fielder's choice plated Allison Frausto for a 5-2 lead.
 
LCU struggled to respond against Alaniz, who entered in relief. She struck out four in two perfect innings to earn the save. Ashlinn Hamilton (2-1) took the loss for the Lady Chaps. Despite out-hitting Kingsville 6-5, LCU left nine runners stranded and couldn't capitalize on key opportunities late.

GAME NOTES
» Sophomore Kadin Vire led the Chaparrals, amassing three base knocks in the ballgame. She went 3-for-4 for her first three-hit performance as a Lady Chap.

» Yaya Kaaialii led the Chaparrals at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Kaaialii was 2-for-4 (.500) on the afternoon.

» Texas A&M-Kingsville was led offensively by senior Kaylynne Ruiz, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.

» Freshman Arianna Alaniz combined (on the day) for 13 strikeouts in 7.0.innings and did not allow a hit.
 
» The two losses dropped LCU's home record to 10-3 on the season.
 
HISTORY LESSON
Wit the pair of losses, LCU still owns a 9-8 advantage in the all-time series, but TAMUK improved to 5-2 all-time at Maner Park.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU heads to Central Texas for a pair of contests in Lone Star Conference play, as they face St. Edward's Friday (in Austin, Texas) and St. Mary's Sunday (in San Antonio, Texas).