LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (February 8, 2026) – Lubbock Christian University finished the weekend on a high note in California, earning a pair of victories and pushing a first-inning spark and late-game resilience to the forefront, as the Lady Chaps defeated Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State San Bernardino late Saturday night before dropping a tightly contested 6–5 decision to Stanislaus State Sunday morning at the NCAA Division II West Coast Challenge.
 
GAME vs. CSUDH
Lubbock Christian University used a six-run sixth inning and a steady pitching effort from Alexis Clark and Kendall Ward to rally past Cal State Dominguez Hills, 6–5, Saturday afternoon at Rosetta Canyon Green to secure its first win of the season.
 
Lubbock Christian (1–5) trailed 3–0 entering the sixth before erupting for six runs on five hits and two Toros errors. Clark (1–1) earned the win after working five innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits, while Ward picked up her first save of the season with two innings of relief, surrendering one unearned run and striking out two.
 
At the plate, Kadin Vire went 2-for-2 with a walk and a hit by pitch, while Ashlinn Hamilton delivered a key two-run double in the decisive sixth. Riley Flores added a two-RBI triple, Alexis Pacheco drove in a run with a single, and Coryn Burris also collected an RBI. Brianna Chambers-Lee finished 2-for-3, and Ava Castillo scored twice for the Lady Chaps.
 
Cal State Dominguez Hills (5–5) was led by Makayla Bishop, who went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, and Torie Au, who finished 2-for-3 with two RBI. Nadia Juarez (1–2) took the loss after allowing five runs (one earned) in 5.1 innings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Cal State Dominguez Hills struck first in the bottom of the opening inning, using a wild pitch and an LCU error to score two unearned runs for an early 2–0 lead.
 
The Toros extended the advantage to 3–0 in the third when Audrey Gallegos singled to center to drive in Alea Medina, who had pinch-run after a leadoff double by Mireya Rico.
Lubbock Christian was kept off the scoreboard through the first five innings despite collecting scattered hits, but broke through in dramatic fashion in the sixth.
 
Ava Castillo opened the frame with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. After a groundout and a walk to Vire, Burris reached on an error to drive in Castillo for LCU's first run. Pacheco followed with a single through the right side to plate Vire, and Hamilton laced a double to right-center to score two more, giving the Lady Chaps a 4–3 lead.
 
After a pitching change, Chambers-Lee singled, and Flores capped the rally with a triple to right field, bringing home two more runs to push the advantage to 6–3.
 
Dominguez Hills answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by an RBI single from Marisa Dominguez and an RBI single by Au, but Ward limited the damage by striking out Savanna Kastigar to end the inning.
 
Ward then retired the Toros in order in the seventh, finishing the game by inducing a lineout to third base from Bishop to seal the one-run victory.

GAME NOTES
» LCU turned three double plays in the game, which is their highest single-game total since turning three against St. Mary's on Mar. 9, 2019.
 
» As LCU grabbed their first win of the season, it marked their first game of the season against an opponent that was not a NCAA postseason regional qualifier last season, as LCU has faced a tough schedule to open the season.

HISTORY LESSON
The game was the first meeting between the two programs.
 
GAME vs. CSUSB
Lubbock Christian University used an early two-run first inning, a pair of sixth-inning insurance runs and a late RBI double from Kadin Vire to defeat Cal State San Bernardino 5–2 in a late Friday evening contest.
 
Lubbock Christian (2–5) received a strong start from Natalee Gray (1–0), who went 5.2 innings and allowed two runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Kendall Ward worked the final 1.1 innings to record her second save of the season. At the plate, Coryn Burris went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Vire finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Brianna Chambers-Le added a two-RBI double, and Ashlinn Hamilton chipped in an RBI double for the Lady Chaps.
 
Cal State San Bernardino (5–4) was led offensively by Iris Bejarano, who homered and went 2-for-3, while Danyelle Castillo added two hits and an RBI. Ashley Legler (3–2) took the loss after throwing a complete game, allowing five runs on seven hits.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lubbock Christian struck first in the top of the opening inning. After Alexis Clark reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, Coryn Burris singled through the right side to drive in the game's first run. Ashlinn Hamilton followed with a double to left-center, scoring Burris and giving the Lady Chaps a 2–0 advantage.
 
The game remained scoreless through the next two innings as Gray and Legler settled into a pitching duel.
 
Cal State San Bernardino cut into the lead in the fourth when Iris Bejarano launched a solo home run to right-center, trimming the deficit to 2–1.
 
Lubbock Christian answered in the sixth. Kadin Vire opened the inning with a single, and Burris followed with a bunt single. After a groundout moved both runners into scoring position, Brianna Chambers-Lee doubled to right field, bringing home Vire and Burris to push the lead to 4–1.
 
CSUSB responded in the bottom half of the inning. A walk to Katie Griego and a single by Bejarano set the stage for an RBI single from Danyelle Castillo, pulling the Coyotes within two at 4–2. Ward entered in relief and induced a groundout to end the threat.
 
The Lady Chaps added an insurance run in the seventh. Riley Flores singled to left, advanced to second on a groundout and moved to third on another groundout before Vire delivered a double to right field to make it 5–2.
 
Ward retired the Coyotes in order in the bottom of the seventh, punctuated by a strikeout of Annamaria Nuno, to secure the victory.

GAME NOTES
» The Lady Chaps produced a season high three doubles.
 
» Kendall Ward, who led the LSC and ranked 12^th last season in saves (5), produced her second save of the day and second on the season.

HISTORY LESSON
CSUSB marked another opponent LCU was facing each other for the first time all-time.
 
GAME vs. STAN
LCU built multiple early leads and mounted a late rally, but a decisive five-run fifth inning by Stanislaus State proved to be the difference in a 6–5 loss Sunday morning at Rosetta Canyon.
 
Lubbock Christian (2–6) collected 12 hits and received multi-hit performances from Alexis Clark, Kadin Vire and Coryn Burris, while Burris drove in two runs and Brianna Chambers-Lee added a pair of hits and an RBI. Ashlinn Hamilton worked 4.1 innings in the circle, allowing three unearned runs, while Kenzie Kauk (0–2) was tagged with the loss. Alexis Clark tossed the final 1.2 innings in relief.
 
Stanislaus State (3–2) was led by Nat Camarena, who homered and drove in four runs, and also earned the win in the circle. Alexis Camberos recorded the final five outs to pick up the save.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lubbock Christian struck first in the opening inning. Alexis Clark singled and advanced to second before Coryn Burris doubled to right field to bring home the game's first run. Burris later scored on an RBI double by Ashlinn Hamilton to give the Lady Chaps a 2–0 advantage.
 
After a scoreless second inning, LCU added another run in the third. Riley Flores singled, and Cat Prisock followed with a base hit. An error on a throw by the Stanislaus State pitcher allowed Prisock to score, extending the lead to 2–0.
 
Stanislaus State answered in the bottom of the third when a throwing error and a wild pitch set the table for an RBI groundout, trimming the margin to 2–1.
 
The game's turning point came in the bottom of the fifth. Following multiple substitutions by LCU in the top half of the inning and a defensive pitching change in the bottom half, a lineup appeal by Stanislaus State resulted in a previously recorded out being reversed. As the umpire misreported the substitutions, the batter was awarded a new at-bat and singled up the middle to tie the game. The next hitter, Nat Camarena, followed with a grand slam to center field, giving the Warriors a 6–2 lead.
 
Lubbock Christian responded immediately in the sixth. Kadin Vire doubled to lead off the inning and scored on a single by Burris. Chambers-Le followed with an RBI single to center, cutting the deficit to 6–4. LCU loaded the bases later in the frame but was unable to push across additional runs.
 
The Lady Chaps pulled within one in the seventh. Clark singled and moved to third on a base hit by Vire. Burris walked to load the bases, and Hamilton reached on an error, allowing Clark to score and make it 6–5. Stanislaus State reliever Alexis Camberos induced a popup and two flyouts to strand the tying run and seal the victory.

GAME NOTES
» The Lady Chaps fell despite out-hitting the Warriors 12-3 in the game.
 
» LCU had four players with multi-hit games, as Alexis Clark, Kadin Vire, Coryn Burris and Brianna Chambers-Lee each had two-hit performances.
 
» All six runs scored by the Warriors were unearned.

HISTORY LESSON
The meeting against Stanislaus State was the first-ever meeting between the two squads.
 
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Kadin Vire and Coryn Burris were selected to the DII West Coast Challenge All-Tournament Team.
 
Vire was one of Lubbock Christian's most consistent offensive performers at the NCAA Division II West Coast Challenge and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team after batting .563 (9-for-16) across five games. Vire recorded four multi-hit performances, scored six runs, and collected three extra-base hits, including two doubles and a triple. She reached base safely in every game of the tournament and helped set the table at the top of the order as LCU faced a slate of CCAA opponents.
 
Burris powered the Lady Chaps' lineup during the West Coast Challenge, earning All-Tournament Team honors after hitting .353 (6-for-17) with two home runs, 10 RBI and seven runs scored over five games. Burris delivered the tournament's biggest offensive performance for LCU with a pair of three-run homers and six RBI against San Francisco State, and added two more multi-hit games during the event. Her combination of power and run production played a key role in LCU's two victories in California.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU completes their stay in California Tuesday with a 12 p.m. (CT) doubleheader in Costa Mesa, Calif. at Vanguard. The games are LCU's first true road games for the season and are LCU's final tuneup before jumping into Lone Star Conference play.