CANYON Texas (May 1, 2025) – No.5-seed Lubbock Christian University opens play in the Lone Star Conference Championship on Thursday with a 5 p.m. quarterfinal matchup against No.4-seed and No.20 nationally ranked Oklahoma Christian at Schaeffer Park, which is hosting the tournament for the second consecutive season.
| LONE STAR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS |
| OPPONENT |
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STATS |
| Oklahoma Christian |
Canyon, Texas |
Thur., May. 1 |
5 p.m. |
Watch |
None |
Stats |
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| Weather |
Tournament Website |
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The Scenario
- If LCU defeats Oklahoma Christian, LCU will play again Friday in a Semifinals contest at 5 p.m. against the winner of the matchup featuring top-seeded No.3 West Texas A&M or No.8-seed St. Edward's.
- A loss to the Lady Eagles would eliminate LCU from the tournament and place their NCAA Division II South Central Regional sights towards an at-large bid during Monday's NCAA Selection Show (9 a.m.).
LCU and OC Series Snapshot
- Lubbock Christian and Oklahoma Christian have met 66 times, with their first matchup on February 29, 2008, with LCU holding a 39–27 edge in the all-time series. The 66 all-time meetings marks the most for LCU against any other opponent.
- The Lady Chaps once controlled the rivalry with a 13-game winning streak from 2011 to 2015 but have dropped eight of the last 10 meetings since March 2023.
- LCU owns a 20–7 record at home and is 12–14 on the road in the series, while OC has won five of the last six meetings in Oklahoma City.
- The longest win streak in the series belongs to LCU (13 games from Feb. 27, 2011 – April 10, 2015), while OC's longest run is a seven-game streak from May 7, 2022 – Feb. 16, 2024.
- The teams have played one Lone Star Conference Championship (tournament) game — a 13-inning thriller in 2022 that set a tournament record for length, with OC outlasting LCU 10–9 despite a six-run Lady Chaps comeback.
- LCU is 6–4 against OC in conference tournaments overall, dating back to Heartland and Sooner Athletic Conference postseason play.
- The rivalry has featured several close games — 15 of the 66 matchups have been decided by a single run — but also includes dominant wins, such as LCU's 13–2 victory in 2018.
- Here are some notes on this season's series between the two teams:
- The teams split a doubleheader on February 16, 2025, in Lubbock, with LCU taking a 12–4 (6 inn.) win in Game 1 before falling 8–4 in Game 2.
- LCU out-hit the Eagles in the twin bill (.395 to .361) and slugged .763 across the two games, but OC capitalized on timely hitting and scored in five of seven innings in the nightcap.
- Kendra Levesque went 3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs in the opener, logging her first multi-homer game as a Lady Chap.
- Piper Garcia added a grand slam and finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs in the same game, helping LCU post its second-highest run total against OC in series history.
- Bailey Hughes also shined in Game 1, going 2-for-3 with a double and driving in two runs from the bottom of the order.
- Despite the offensive explosion in the opener, LCU managed just six hits in Game 2, with Garcia and Levesque combining for four of them.
- Over the doubleheader, Garcia amassed four hits in six at-bats, tallying six RBI and extending her hitting streak to four games. Levesque and Garcia combined for 19 total bases
Season Tidbits
- The Lady Chaps (35-19) are making their fifth consecutive appearance in the LSC Championship and arrive after finishing third in the West Division standings (18-10) and with the fifth-best LSC record (26-18).
- Baylea Myers remains a key contributor in LCU's lineup, ranking 10th in the LSC with 67 hits and tied for fourth in the league with four sacrifice flies (57th nationally). She also ranks 13th in the LSC in total assists (98) and 13th in assists per game (1.81), helping LCU maintain a strong defensive presence. Her .645 slugging percentage remains within the conference's top 20, and she is tied for 12th in the LSC with 14 doubles.
- LCU continues to showcase power throughout the lineup, ranking seventh in the LSC and 28th nationally with 45 home runs. Kendra Levesque leads the team and ranks seventh in the LSC (69th nationally) with 11 long balls, followed by Myers (8) and Ashlinn Hamilton (7). Nine different Chaps have homered this season, underscoring the lineup's depth.
- The Lady Chaps boast one of the nation's most productive offenses, ranking third in the LSC and 10th nationally with 313 RBI and averaging 5.80 per game (3rd LSC, 19th nationally). They've scored 337 runs (4th LSC, 17th nationally) and average 6.24 runs per game (4th LSC, 26th nationally). Their .406 on-base percentage ranks fourth in the LSC and 27th nationally, backed by 183 walks (5th LSC, 12th nationally).
- Doubles have been a staple of LCU's offensive attack, as they lead the LSC and rank second nationally with 111. Their 2.06 doubles per game ranks first in the conference and third in the nation. Kendra Levesque leads all of NCAA Division II with 23 doubles, while Kristen Boyd ranks second in the LSC and fourth nationally with 20.
- On the bases, LCU has been efficient, going 49-for-54 on stolen base attempts. That total ranks seventh in the LSC and 139th nationally, while their 0.91 steals per game stands ninth in the conference. Kadin Vire is a perfect 14-for-14 and ranks 12th in the LSC, while Kawehi Ili is 10-for-11.
- The LCU pitching staff holds a 3.57 ERA, which ranks fifth in the LSC and 105th nationally. Kendall Ward leads the LSC and ranks 10th nationally with five saves. Teoni Lamb has thrown 120.0 innings (15th LSC), appeared in 25 games (22nd LSC), and made 22 starts (7th LSC). She ranks 11th in the LSC in strikeouts (110), fifth in strikeouts per seven innings (5.46), and fourth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.29).
- LCU remains a top situational hitting team, tied for third in the LSC and 17th nationally with 21 sacrifice flies. Myers and Riley Flores each have four, tied for fourth in the conference and 57th nationally.
- Defensively, LCU continues to hold firm, ranking fifth in the LSC and 33rd nationally with a .969 fielding percentage. The Chaps have turned 17 double plays (5th LSC, 61st nationally) and average 0.31 per game (6th LSC, 93rd nationally). Myers leads the team with 98 assists (11th LSC), followed by Kristen Boyd (95, 12th) and Flores (85, 20th). Myers (1.81 apg) and Boyd (1.76) also rank among the conference's top 15 in assists per game.
Deeper Dive
- LCU continues to dominate early and late, outscoring opponents 62–24 in the first inning and 60–24 in the sixth. The Lady Chaps are 23–7 when scoring first, including 18–3 when plating a run in the opening frame.
- Kawehi Ili is hitting .400 (22-for-55) with runners in scoring position and is 12-for-16 (.750) when attempting to score a runner from third with fewer than two outs. She's advancing runners at a 55.7% clip (49-for-88), and her .477 on-base percentage in advancement situations is third on the team.
- Kristen Boyd leads the team with 19 two-out RBIs and boasts a .452 average (28-for-62) with runners in scoring position. She's also 4-for-7 (.571) with the bases loaded and advances runners successfully 56.1% of the time (55-for-98).
- Kendra Levesque (.404), Baylea Myers (.351), and Yaya Kaaialii (.361) remain key RISP hitters. Levesque is an elite 4-for-7 (.571) with the bases loaded and leads the team with a 59.8% advancement rate (67-for-112).
- The Lady Chaps are 23–1 when scoring six or more runs and a perfect 12–0 when reaching double-digit scoring. They are just 1–13 when held to two runs or fewer.
- LCU is 24–2 when out-hitting opponents but only 4–17 when collecting fewer hits. They are also 6-0 when hits are tied.
- LCU holds a 19–1 record when allowing two runs or fewer. When opponents score six or more, the Lady Chaps are 5–11.
- LCU is 16–1 when leading after six innings and a perfect 3–0 in extra-inning games. They've also notched four comeback wins when trailing after six.
- The Lady Chaps are 7–1 when hitting multiple home runs and 25–6 when holding
- In bases-loaded situations, Kristen Boyd (4-for-7, .571), Kendra Levesque (4-for-7, .500), and Kadin Vire (three hits) are top producers.
- LCU is 13–4 when opponents commit multiple errors and 7–2 in shutouts.
- The Lady Chaps are 17–2 in games decided by five or more runs, continuing to thrive in lopsided contests.
Lone Star Conference Championships Breakdown
- This season is LCU's fifth tournament appearance in the LSC Championships (of four eligible seasons, as there was no tournament in 2020).
- Prior to the LSC, LCU qualified for four Heartland Conference Championships, winning the tournament twice (2016, 2017) and compiling a 10-5 tournament record all-time.
- LCU is 1-4 all-time in the LSC Championships (1-1 in Canyon).
- LCU is hitting .258 all-time in LSC Championship play and they have a staff ERA of 6.07.
- Former standout Skylar Herrera is LCU's all-time program hit leader in the LSC tournament with seven hits in 19 at-bats (.368).
- Surprisingly, LCU has seven sacrifices in their five all-time games in the event, with two sac fly and five sacrifice bunts.
Lone Star Conference Breakdown
- This season is LCU's sixth season in the LSC.
- LCU is 121-70 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 completed this season 26–18 in Lone Star Conference play, hitting .308 as a team with 41 home runs, 94 doubles, and a .395 OBP.
- Kendra Levesque led the offense, batting .413 with 11 home runs, 18 doubles, 46 RBI, and a 1.270 OPS in 44 starts.
- The pitching staff held a 3.75 ERA in conference play with 209 strikeouts in 284 innings, plus 12 complete games and six saves.
- Kendall Ward had four saves, a 2.76 ERA, and a .260 opponent average over 33.0 innings. She produced four wins in relief.
- Teoni Lamb went 9–7 with a 3.23 ERA, a team-high 106.1 innings pitched, 102 strikeouts, and 10 complete games.
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 Thursday with a softball record of 587-215.
- 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 1,273 total games at LCU.
Looking at OC
- Oklahoma Christian enters the Lone Star Conference Tournament riding the momentum of its eighth consecutive 30-win season and a program-record-tying 29 LSC victories, matching its mark from 2023 when it reached the tournament final. This marks the fifth straight postseason appearance for the Eagles, who own a 4-4 all-time record in the LSC Tournament.
- The Eagles feature one of the most dominant pitching duos in the conference with Jill Dickson (176 strikeouts) and Grace Anderson (167), making OC the only LSC team with two pitchers ranked in the top five in total strikeouts. Dickson ranks third in school history with 487 career strikeouts, while Anderson sits fifth all-time with 422.
- Leading the OC offense is freshman catcher Marti Yaerger, who paces the team in batting average (.378), hits (65), and RBI (32). Her 65 hits are the most in a single season by an Eagle since 2015 and have helped propel the team to a .308 batting average, its highest since 2022.
- Six Eagles earned All-LSC honors, led by First Team selections Jill Dickson, Grace Anderson, and Marti Yaerger—the most OC has had on the First Team since joining the league in 2020. Third Team selections Kadence Brewster (.353) and Kallie Rupp (.350) also received Golden Glove honors, making OC one of just two teams with multiple defensive award winners.
- Senior Kate Paulsen adds veteran leadership to the lineup and was recognized on the LSC All-Academic Team, one of just nine players conference-wide to earn the honor. Paulsen is enjoying a career-best season with 45 hits, 23 RBI, and a team-high 16 extra-base hits, tying her with Yaerger for the most on the squad.
