WICHITA FALLS, Texas (March 21, 2025) – Midwestern State racked up 23 hits on the afternoon, while Lubbock Christian University struggled to find answers in the circle. The Mustangs rallied for a 9-8 comeback win in the opener before securing a 6-2 victory to sweep Friday's Lone Star Conference divisional doubleheader at Mustangs Park.
Game 1
Lubbock Christian saw multiple leads slip away in a high-scoring opener, as Midwestern State capitalized on late-inning momentum to claim a 9-8 victory.
Ashlinn Hamilton notched two extra base hits. Natalee Gray came out of the bullpen for Lubbock Christian (20-11, 11-10) and took the loss.
Hamilton's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 2-for-4 day, and included a double, a home run and two RBI. Senior Kristen Boyd furnished a standout effort as well, going 1-for-2 with a double, two walks and an RBI. Sophomore Kadin Vire also contributed for the Chaparrals, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lubbock Christian took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second when Hamilton launched a two-run home run to right field. Midwestern State answered immediately in the bottom half, tying the game with a two-run single up the middle before a baserunning miscue ended the inning.
The Lady Chaps struck again in the third, regaining the lead with back-to-back RBI doubles from Baylea Myers and Kristen Boyd to go up 4-2. The Mustangs, however, delivered their biggest inning in response, plating four runs in the bottom half. A pair of run-scoring hits, combined with a throwing error, allowed Midwestern State to surge ahead 6-4.
Lubbock Christian chipped away with a sacrifice groundout in the fourth and tied the game at 6-6 in the fifth after Kawehi Ili singled through the right side to bring home a run. The Lady Chaps reclaimed the lead in the sixth when Kadin Vire lined a run-scoring single to center before an RBI fielder's choice from Kendra Levesque stretched the advantage to 8-6.
Midwestern State mounted its decisive rally in the bottom of the sixth, stringing together three consecutive two-out singles to plate three runs and take the lead for good. The Mustangs then turned to Addison Lindemann, who retired Lubbock Christian in order in the seventh to secure the save.
Hamilton led the Lady Chaps offensively with a home run and a double, while Ili and Myers each contributed run-producing hits. Lubbock Christian finished with nine hits in the game but left multiple runners stranded in key innings. Midwestern State outhit the Lady Chaps 13-9 and executed a key three-run sixth inning that proved to be the difference.
GAME NOTES
» Lubbock Christian's power output was led by Hamilton, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame. She produced her second home run of the season and of her career.
» Lubbock Christian went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» The Chaparrals drew six walks from Midwestern State pitching.
» Midwestern State was led offensively by senior Myranda Jimenez, who went 4-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
Game 2
Lubbock Christian struggled to generate timely offense and fell 6-2 to MSU in the second game of the doubleheader. Despite out-hitting the Mustangs, the Lady Chaps could not overcome an early deficit and a key home run in the fourth inning that shifted momentum.
Emily Dix (7-4) got the ball to start for Lubbock Christian (20-12, 11-11) and took the loss. Reese Farrar was a bright spot for the Chaparrals, coming out of the bullpen and throwing 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing no hits, with no walks and one strikeout.
At the plate, the Chaparrals were led by Hamilton, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a double, a walk and an RBI. Junior Yaya Kaaialii furnished a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Senior Kawehi Ili also contributed for Lubbock Christian, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Midwestern State struck first in the bottom of the first inning as Megan Ayala delivered a clutch two-run single to left field, plating Jessika Roberts and Myranda Jimenez for a 2-0 lead. Lubbock Christian threatened in the second but stranded the bases loaded after Addison Lindemann induced an inning-ending flyout.
After a scoreless second, the Mustangs extended their lead in the third with a run-scoring fielder's choice off the bat of Mikey Dominguez, bringing home Lindemann to make it 3-0.
Lubbock Christian responded in the fourth as Kawehi Ili led off with a double and later scored on an RBI double by Hamilton, cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, Midwestern State countered quickly in the bottom half when Camile Nunez blasted a two-run home run to left field, pushing the Mustangs' lead to 5-1.
MSU added an insurance run in the fifth as Kayla Bryant singled home Emma Roach, extending the lead to 6-1. Lubbock Christian put together a late push in the seventh, taking advantage of a fielding error to plate a run on a fielder's choice from Yaya Kaaialii, but Lindemann shut the door to secure the complete-game win.
GAME NOTES
» Hamilton led the Chaparrals at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Kawehi Ili (2-for-3), Baylea Myers (2-for-4) and Yaya Kaaialii (2-for-4) each had a pair of hits.
» Midwestern State was led offensively by senior Camile Nunez, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Lubbock Christian outhit Midwestern State 9-10 but left eight runners stranded.
» Midwestern State turned three double plays to stifle potential scoring threats.
» Hamilton and Ili each went 3-for-6 on the day against the Mustangs.
» The road sweep places LCU with a 3-7 road record on the season.
HISTORY LESSON
The pair of losses marked the first time in their head-to-head series in which LCU was swept in a doubleheader against MSU. LCU is 11-6 all-time against MSU despite the pair of losses.
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU remains on the road Sunday and head to Canyon, Texas to face West Texas A&M for a Rivalry on the Range doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
