CANYON, Texas (May 1, 2025) – Lubbock Christian University pieced together its highest-scoring game ever in Lone Star Conference Championship play Thursday, erupting for 12 hits in an 11-3 upset of No. 20-ranked Oklahoma Christian in the tournament quarterfinals at Schaeffer Park. With the win, the fifth-seeded Lady Chaps (36-19) advanced to Friday's 5 p.m. semifinal against top-seeded and No. 3-ranked West Texas A&M.

Lubbock Christian received contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely.

Senior Teoni Lamb (11-7) started in the circle and picked up the win for Lubbock Christian (36-19). The right-hander went 4.1 innings, giving up two runs, on two hits, allowing two walks and striking out one. Freshman Kendall Ward also made an impact in the circle for the Lady Chaps, throwing 2.2 innings, giving up one run on one hit.
In the batter's box, LCU was led by Kendra Levesque, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run, two walks and three RBI. Kadin Vire compiled a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Kawehi Ili also helped out for Lubbock Christian, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate while adding a walk and superb defense at shortstop.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After two scoreless innings to open the game, LCU struck first in the third, loading the bases via a walk, hit-by-pitch and another walk before Kadin Vire delivered a two-run double to left-center. Piper Garcia followed with a sacrifice bunt to bring in Kristen Boyd for a 3-0 lead. Oklahoma Christian (36-19) responded with a run in the fourth when Karsyn Iltis singled home Sydnee Seat.
 
LCU capitalized on defensive miscues in the fifth, scoring twice without the benefit of an RBI. Baylea Myers and Boyd reached safely to start the inning, and after a Vire single, Garcia's pop-up  (infield fly was not called) was dropped at second base, allowing two unearned runs to score and extending the lead to 5-1. The Lady Eagles closed the gap to 5-3 in the bottom half on a Kadence Brewster triple and a Marti Yaerger groundout.
 
A key sixth inning saw the Lady Chaps pull away for good. Sophia Reyes and Kawehi Ili singled, and an errant throw on a Myers fielder's choice allowed Ili to score. Boyd added an RBI single before a Vire base hit led to another run after an aggressive baserunning play. Garcia and Yaya Kaaialii later extended the inning, with the latter drawing a bases-loaded walk to make it 8-3.
 
In the seventh, Reyes and Ili again set the table, and Kendra Levesque delivered the dagger — a three-run homer to left-center (against an hard crosswind), her first of the tournament and team-leading 12th of the season, pushing the score to 11-3. Levesque finished with three RBIs, while Vire led the team with three hits and two driven in.
 
Pitchers Teoni Lamb and Kendall Ward combined to hold OC to just three hits. Lamb did not allow a hit until the 12^th batter faced, as the first hit from the Lady Eagles came 3.2 innings into the game.
 
GAME NOTES
» Lubbock Christian got three-hit games from both Ili and Vire. Each matched their season high, as Vire has five three-hit games on the season.

» Every Lubbock Christian starter reached base safely in the win.

» Lubbock Christian scored first to improve to 25-7 this season when scoring first.

» The Chaparrals out-hit the Eagles at a 12-3 clip, improving to 26-2 this season when out-hitting the opposition.

» Lubbock Christian went 6-for-14 (.429) with runners in scoring position.

» LCU's Teoni Lamb and Kendall Ward faced 26 Oklahoma Christian hitters in the game, allowing 15 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out one.

» The Chaparrals drew eight walks from Oklahoma Christian pitching, with Levesque and Boyd walking twice.

» Levesque led the Chaparrals at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Her home run marked LCU's third-ever home run hit in a LSC Championship tournament game (Skylar Herrera and Kamryn Gibbs have the others). Levesque's three-RBI game matched a program single-game high for a LSC Championship (tournament) game, as Savannah Wysocki had a three-RBI game on May 7, 2022 against OC.
 
» Oklahoma Christian was led offensively by junior Kadence Brewster, who went 1-for-2 with a triple and an RBI.
 
» Levesque improved her team-leading hit streak to 15 games and has reached base safely in 16 consecutive games.
 
» Yaha Kaaialii, who had not played since Mar. 23, returned to the LCU lineup. She produced an RBI in her LCU return.
 
» LCU improved to 5-1 this season in neutral site games.
 
HISTORY LESSON
LCU improved to 2-4 all-time in LSC Championship (tournament) games (2-1 in Canyon). LCU moved to 2-1 against OC this season and moved to 40-27 all-time against OC. They are now 1-1 in LSC Championship (tournament) games and 7-4 all-time in conference tournament games, as LCU and OC were in the Heartland Conference and Sooner Athletic Conference together. The meeting marked the 67^th time the two teams have met, which is more than any other LCU opponent.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU moves into the Semifinals for a second consecutive season and will face their Rivalry on the Range rival, No.3 West Texas A&M, who advanced to the semis following a 3-0 win over St. Edward's. LCU is seeking their first LSC Championship Semifinals victory. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Schaeffer Park.