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Softball Seeks Silver City Success Wednesday With West Division Doubleheader

| By: Chris Due (chris.due@lcu.edu)

Red-Hot Lady Chaps Bring Four-Game Win Streak To The Land Of Enchantment

SILVER CITY, N.M. (April 16, 2025) – Lubbock Christian University softball heads to the Land of Enchantment for a four-game week, opening their western-most road swing Wednesday with a Lone Star Conference West Division doubleheader against Western New Mexico. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT at The Yard.
  
LONE STAR CONFERENCE SOFTBALL
OPPONENT LOCATION DAY TIME (CT) VIDEO RADIO STATS
WNMU Mustang Field "The Yard"  Wed., Apr. 16 2 p.m. Watch None Stats
WNMU Mustang Field "The Yard"  Wed., Apr. 16 4 p.m. Watch None Stats
Weather
      
LCU and WNMU Series Snapshot
  • Lubbock Christian holds a commanding 19–1 advantage in the all-time series against Western New Mexico, dating back to the first meeting on Feb. 18, 2014.
  • The Lady Chaps had won 18 straight over the Mustangs before a 6–3 setback in Game 2 of a March 16 doubleheader earlier this season in Lubbock. It marked WNMU's first-ever win over LCU.
  • LCU is undefeated (5–0) in Silver City and 14–1 all-time against the Mustangs at home.
  • All 12 meetings between the two programs as Lone Star Conference foes have come since 2021, with LCU holding an 11–1 mark in those games.
  • The Lady Chaps have posted 10 run-rule wins in the series, including six by shutout.
  • In the March 16 split, LCU took Game 1 in six innings, 11–3, before falling in the nightcap.
  • Here are some notes on this season's series between the two teams:
    • Kendra Levesque has tormented WNMU pitching, batting .667 (4-for-6) in the series with two doubles, two RBI, and a 1.000 slugging percentage. She has also reached base at a .714 clip to lead the Lady Chaps offensively.
    • Yaya Kaaialii has added four hits in eight at-bats (.500), including two doubles and two RBI.
    • Baylea Myers is hitting .429 (3-for-7) with a double and three RBI, while Kristen Boyd slugged two doubles and drove in a run, hitting .400.
    • The LCU lineup has combined for 17 hits, including eight extra-base hits (six doubles, one homer, one triple), and drew seven walks.
    • Teoni Lamb provided a key relief appearance, tossing a scoreless frame with two strikeouts in the opener.
    • LCU pitchers struck out 14 across the two games, holding the Mustangs to a .264 average and just two extra-base hits.

 
Season Tidbits
  • Lubbock Christian is 28-18 overall and sits third in the Lone Star Conference West Division at 11-9, with a 19-17 record in league play. The Lady Chaps have been dominant at home (18-5) and own four straight wins entering this week's road series. LCU has notched wins over top-tier teams like Angelo State and Oklahoma Christian and has scored double-digit runs in 10 games this season. In the hunt for a berth to the Lone Star Conference Championship, LCU is tied for fifth in the overall conference standings.
  • Baylea Myers continues to lead the Lady Chaps' offensive attack, ranking 10th in the Lone Star Conference and 96th nationally with a .413 batting average. She is sixth in the conference with 59 hits and ranks sixth with 97 total bases. Myers has driven in a team-high 39 runs (8th in LSC) and ranks tied for second in the conference with four sacrifice flies. She is also tied for third on the squad with 12 doubles and ranks 14th in the LSC with a .678 slugging percentage.
  • The Lady Chaps remain a powerful lineup, ranking seventh in the LSC and 38th nationally with 33 home runs. Baylea Myers leads the team with eight, followed closely by Kendra Levesque (7) and Ashlinn Hamilton (5). A total of nine different players have gone deep this season, underscoring LCU's lineup depth.
  • LCU boasts one of the conference's most productive offenses, ranking third in the LSC and 19th nationally with 257 RBI. The Lady Chaps are averaging 5.59 RBI per game (3rd in LSC, 32nd nationally), have totaled 275 runs (4th in LSC, 21st nationally), and are scoring 5.98 runs per game (4th in LSC, 38th nationally). Their .399 on-base percentage ranks fifth in the conference and 34th nationally. LCU has drawn 159 walks this season, ranking fifth in the LSC and 18th nationally.
  • Doubles continue to be a strength for the Lady Chaps, who lead the LSC and rank sixth nationally with 85. They are averaging 1.85 doubles per game, tied for the conference lead and 16th nationally. Kendra Levesque paces the conference and ranks fourth in the nation with 19 doubles, while Kristen Boyd is third in the LSC with 16.
  • LCU has been efficient on the basepaths, stealing 46 bases in 51 attempts. The Lady Chaps rank sixth in the LSC and 119th nationally in total steals, and average 1.00 stolen base per game. Kadin Vire remains perfect at 13-for-13, and Kawehi Ili is near flawless at 10-for-11.
  • The Lady Chaps pitching staff ranks fifth in the LSC and 96th nationally with a 3.45 ERA. Kendall Ward continues to shine in relief, leading the conference and ranking fifth nationally with five saves. Teoni Lamb leads the staff in innings pitched (96.1), ranks 18th in the LSC, and is 16th in the league with eight complete games. Lamb also averages 6.6 strikeouts per seven innings, 12th-best in the conference.
  • LCU has excelled in situational hitting, ranking third in the LSC and 15th nationally with 19 sacrifice flies. Riley Flores and Baylea Myers each have four, tied for second in the conference.
  • Defensively, the Lady Chaps have turned 12 double plays, ranking eighth in the LSC and 94th nationally. Their .966 fielding percentage is sixth in the conference and 53rd nationally. Riley Flores anchors the infield with 85 assists (ninth in LSC) and ranks 10th in the league with 2.02 assists per game.

Deeper Dive
  • LCU continues to strike early and surge late, outscoring opponents 57–17 in the first inning and 57–20 in the sixth. The Lady Chaps are 20–7 when scoring first, including a 16–3 mark when scoring in the opening frame.
  • Kawehi Ili remains clutch in key moments, batting .409 (18-for-44) with runners in scoring position and .750 (9-for-12) with a runner on third and less than two outs. She advances runners at a team-best 55.1% rate (38-for-69).
  • Kristen Boyd leads the team in two-out RBIs (15) and hits with runners in scoring position (22-for-50, .440). She advances runners 51.4% of the time (38-for-74).
  • Kendra Levesque (.362), Baylea Myers (.439), and Yaya Kaaialii (.361) continue to deliver with runners in scoring position. Boyd leads the team with four hits (.571) in bases-loaded spots.
  • Kaaialii has a .625 (5-for-8) success rate with a runner on third and less than two outs.
  • LCU is 19–2 when scoring six or more runs and a perfect 10–0 when reaching double digits. When held to two runs or fewer, the Lady Chaps are just 1–12.
  • The Lady Chaps are 18–2 when out-hitting their opponent but only 4–16 when being out-hit.
  • LCU is 17–1 when allowing two runs or fewer and 3–16 when surrendering six runs or more.
  • The team is 12–1 when leading after six innings and 2–0 in extra-inning games. They've rallied for three wins when trailing after six.
  • LCU is 4–1 when hitting multiple home runs and 22–6 when holding opponents without a long ball.
  • Kristen Boyd (.571, 4-for-7), Kadin Vire (.333, 3-for-9), and Piper Garcia (.667, 2-for-3) lead the team in bases-loaded production.
  • LCU is 10–3 when opponents commit multiple errors and 7–2 in shutouts.
  • The Lady Chaps dominate in lopsided games, holding a 15–2 record in contests decided by five or more runs.
 
Lone Star Conference Breakdown
  • This season is LCU's sixth season in the LSC.
  • LCU is 114-69 all-time in LSC play.
  • The Lady Chaps went 24-18 last season in conference (sixth place in the standings).
  • Snapshot of last season in the LSC for LCU.
    • LCU is hit .308 in conference, with 40 home runs (allowed 28).
    • The pitching staff had a 2.81 ERA in LSC play, with 211 strikeouts in 269.1 innings and held opponents to a .246 batting average.
  • LCU enters the weekend with a 19–17 record in Lone Star Conference play. The Lady Chaps are batting .290 as a team in league action, with 29 home runs, 68 doubles, and a .383 on-base percentage.
  • Baylea Myers remains the offensive catalyst, slashing .391/.440/.664 with a team-best 73 total bases. She leads LCU in hits (43), runs (30), and is tied for the team lead in RBI (26) and second in home runs (6), while adding 10 doubles and a triple.
  • Yaya Kaaialii continues to be a tough out, batting .364 with a team-high .488 OBP. She's collected 24 hits, scored 20 runs, and chipped in 11 RBI with six doubles and two home runs over 24 starts.
  • Kendra Levesque leads the team in RBI (30) and extra-base hits (21), boasting a .352 average with 14 doubles, seven home runs, and a 1.111 OPS.
  • Kristen Boyd ranks among the LSC leaders in doubles (14), producing a .337 average, 26 RBI, and a .438 OBP with a .992 OPS across all 36 conference games.
  • Kadin Vire continues to be the spark at the top of the order, hitting .317 with 38 hits, 12 RBI, and 48 total bases. She's a perfect 8-for-8 on stolen bases and holds a .366 OBP.
  • Ashlinn Hamilton has provided timely power from the heart of the lineup, hitting .315 with seven doubles, five home runs, and 19 RBI in 25 starts.
  • Piper Garcia has added depth in the order, hitting .294 with a .410 OBP. She's tallied three homers, 15 RBI, and 26 total bases in 23 starts.
  • Kawehi Ili has driven in 15 runs while batting .247 with four doubles and a .373 OBP. She's started all 35 games she's played.
  • Riley Flores has reached base at a .388 clip, drawing 23 walks and adding 12 RBI despite a .211 batting average.
  • The LCU pitching staff holds a 3.64 ERA in conference play, limiting opponents to a .269 average over 227.0 innings.
  • Reese Farrar leads the staff with a 2.43 ERA in LSC action, striking out 13 and walking only three across 23.0 innings while holding hitters to a .258 average.
  • Kendall Ward has been a high-leverage arm out of the bullpen, posting a 3–1 record with four saves and a 2.59 ERA. She's issued just two walks and struck out 13 over 24.1 innings.
  • Teoni Lamb continues to lead the staff in innings pitched (82.2), carrying a 6–7 mark with a 3.13 ERA and 77 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .257 against her in 18 LSC appearances.
  • Natalee Gray has logged 37.1 innings with a 3.38 ERA and 21 strikeouts. She tossed LCU's only no-hitter of the season in a five-inning shutout of UT Permian Basin on April 11.
 
On The Road Again
  • Lubbock Christian is 6-12 in away contests this season, competing closely despite the record with opponents outhitting the Lady Chaps by just four hits (121 to 117).
  • Baylea Myers remains the team's most consistent road performer, pacing LCU with a .386 batting average (22-for-57). She leads the squad with a .684 slugging percentage, tallying six doubles, a triple, and three home runs to go along with 12 RBI and a .435 on-base percentage.
  • Ashlinn Hamilton is hitting .293 (12-for-41) in away games, producing five doubles and two home runs. She owns a .561 slugging percentage and a .356 on-base mark, while also contributing in the circle with a 2.42 ERA over 8.2 innings.
  • Kadin Vire has totaled 17 hits in 60 at-bats (.283) and leads LCU with four stolen bases in four attempts. She has also added four doubles and six RBI.
  • Kendra Levesque continues to deliver run production, posting 13 RBI and batting .263 (15-for-57). She leads the team with seven doubles and has also launched a pair of home runs. Defensively, she is perfect in the field with 123 putouts and a 1.000 fielding percentage.
  • Kristen Boyd adds five RBI and seven extra-base hits—six doubles and a triple—while batting .269 (14-for-52). She holds a .974 fielding percentage with 47 putouts anchoring the infield.
  • Yaya Kaaialii has hit .257 (9-for-35) on the road with a .286 slugging percentage and a .350 on-base percentage. She has drawn four walks and been hit by one pitch.
  • In the circle, Kendall Ward has been LCU's most effective reliever in away games. She owns a 1.85 ERA and three saves across 11.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs and holding opposing hitters to a .200 average.
  • Natalee Gray leads LCU starters on the road with a 2-2 record and a 3.13 ERA over 15.2 innings pitched. She has allowed only seven earned runs and limited opponents to a .250 average.
  • Overall, LCU has totaled 34 doubles, two triples, and eight home runs in 18 away games, with a team slugging percentage of .375. The Lady Chaps have drawn 51 walks and been hit 12 times, contributing to a .332 team on-base percentage.
 
Streaking Along Coach Talk
  • LCU head coach Daren Hays is in his 15th season at the helm of the Lady Chaps.
  • Hays is LCU's winningest softball head coach, entering Wednesday with a softball record of 580-214.
  • Along with surpassing 575 coaching wins in softball, Hays had surpassed 300 wins as a collegiate baseball head coach. He spent eight seasons as the LCU baseball head coach and compiled a 356-163 record. Combine the two sports and Hays has coached in 1,265 total games at LCU. 
 
Looking at WNMU
  • Western New Mexico has struggled through the 2025 campaign, sitting sixth in the LSC West Division at 8-12 in league play and 14-31 overall. The Mustangs have shown flashes of competitiveness, including series wins over Midwestern State, UTPB, and Cameron, but consistency has eluded them. They've particularly struggled on the road, posting just three wins in 18 away contests. Despite the challenges, WNMU has picked up some gritty wins, including a wild 17-13 victory at Eastern New Mexico and a pair of one-run wins against Midwestern and Sul Ross State.
  • WNMU ranks among the nation's top power-hitting teams, sitting 13th nationally and 2nd in the Lone Star Conference with 49 home runs. They're averaging 1.09 homers per game, ranking 15th nationally and 3rd in the LSC. Leading the charge is Lauryn Carbajal, who has launched nine long balls this season, ranking 7th in the conference and 77th nationally. Addisen Byers has chipped in seven home runs, giving the Mustangs a formidable middle-of-the-order presence.
  • The Mustangs are slugging at a .469 clip—41st nationally and 7th in the LSC. Carbajal leads the team with a stellar .766 slugging percentage, which ranks 6th in the conference and 41st in the nation. Four other regulars—Abbi Markus, Antonya Lucero, Ciara Spencer, and Byers—all sport slugging percentages above .450, giving WNMU a balanced, extra-base-hit threat up and down the order..
  • Western New Mexico has plated 224 runs (69th nationally, 8th in the LSC) and driven in 204 (66th nationally). The team averages nearly five runs per game (4.98), ranking 7th in the LSC. Carbajal leads the team with 31 RBI, followed by Markus with 26 and Byers with 21.
  • WNMU's defense has turned 16 double plays this season—36th in the nation and 3rd in the LSC. They average 0.36 double plays per game, ranking 55th nationally. That alert defense has helped limit damage in high-leverage innings.
  • Opposing offenses are hitting just 12.17 hits per seven innings against the Mustangs—ranking an impressive 10th nationally and 1st in the LSC in hits allowed per seven innings..
  • WNMU has been effective in getting hit by pitches, ranking 9th in the LSC with 25 free bases. Madison George and Ciara Spencer are tied for the team lead with seven HBP each, ranking in the top 100 nationally.
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