DENTON, Texas (March 29, 2026) – Lubbock Christian University heads into an important Lone Star Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Dianne Baker Field, as the Lady Chaps (13-9 in conference) and Texas Woman's (15-7 in conference) seek to remain in the upper tier of the crowded LSC standings. First pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for 12 p.m.
| LONE STAR CONFERENCE SOFTBALL |
| OPPONENT |
LOCATION |
DAY |
TIME (CT) |
VIDEO |
STATS |
WEATHER |
| Texas Woman's |
Denton, Texas |
Sun., Mar. 29 |
12 p.m. |
Watch |
Stats |
Weather |
| Texas Woman's |
Denton, Texas |
Sun., Mar. 29 |
2 p.m. |
Watch |
Stats |
Weather |
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LCU and TWU Series Snapshot
- With wins in 10 of the prior 13 meetings, LCU has a 11-5 all-time series advantage.
- Last season, the two teams met in Denton (Feb. 24, 2025), where the two teams split a Lone Star Conference doubleheader (TWU won the opener 4-1, before LCU won 11-1 in six innings).
- The last five meetings head-to-head have been in Denton, where LCU is 4-3 all-time against TWU (TWU is 3-2 in the current five game stretch of meetings that have been played in Denton).
- The first four meetings were neutral site contests, with the two teams splitting 2-2.
- LCU is 9-3 against TWU in conference play.
- The series' largest margin of victory came on April 1, 2022, when LCU secured a 16-0 win in six innings.
- The first-ever meeting took place on Feb. 3, 2013, when LCU opened the series with a dominant 10-0 win.
- Across all matchups, LCU has outscored TWU 88-37, averaging 5.5 runs per game.
Season Tidbits
- Lubbock Christian is 17–15 overall and 13–9 in Lone Star Conference play through 32 games, sitting seventh in the league standings. After opening the season 0–5, the Lady Chaps have gone 17–10 since. Included in the latest stretch is a 5–3 mark on an eight-game road trip and followed with a 4–2 homestand before their Friday doubleheader split at UT Tyler.
- Offensively, LCU is hitting .282 as a team with 251 hits, including 44 doubles, six triples and 14 home runs, averaging 4.75 runs per game (152 total runs). They have also been aggressive on the bases, going 31-for-42 in stolen base attempts (73.8%).
- LCU's defense remains among the elite in NCAA Division II, ranking No. 2 nationally and No. 1 in the Lone Star Conference with 18 double plays turned (0.56 per game). The Lady Chaps are fielding at a .955 clip.
- Kadin Vire continues to pace the offense, hitting .412 (42-for-102) with 10 doubles, three triples and two home runs. She owns a .627 slugging percentage and .474 on-base percentage, while ranking among the top 10 in the LSC in batting average and top 100 nationally. Vire also leads the team with 28 runs scored.
- Ashlinn Hamilton leads LCU with 28 RBI and is second on the squad with four home runs, continuing to anchor the middle of the lineup.
- Freshman Coryn Burris has raised her totals to 21 RBI and a team-leading five home runs, highlighted by a 4-for-7 performance in the doubleheader at UT Tyler.
- Brianna Chambers-Lee has contributed 16 RBI and carries LCU's active hit streak at five games, continuing to be one of the team's most consistent situational hitters.
- Alexis Pacheco continues to be one of the premier defenders in the nation, leading NCAA Division II and the LSC with 111 assists (3.47 per game). She has also added 22 hits, 14 RBI and three home runs offensively.
- Madison Hunter (8) and Ava Castillo (7) combine for 15 stolen bases, with Hunter remaining perfect on the season (8-for-8).
- Riley Flores is LCU's active leader in reaching base safely with a 12-game streak.
- In the circle, LCU owns a 3.62 team ERA (No. 6 in the LSC), with opponents hitting .263.
- Lexi Clark (7–4, 2.72 ERA) has emerged as a frontline option, leading the staff with 64.1 innings pitched, three complete games and three shutouts, while limiting opponents to a .248 batting average.
- Natalee Gray (6–4, 4.12 ERA) has recorded a team-best 31 strikeouts over 52.2 innings, holding opponents to a .249 average.
- Kendall Ward (3–2, 2.75 ERA) co-leads NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference with eight saves, continuing to anchor the bullpen in late-game situations while extending her program-record career total to 13 saves. The LSC single season saves record is 12 (held by former Lady Chap Tori Bayer with West Texas A&M in 2016).
- LCU split its first Lone Star Conference doubleheader of the season Friday at UT Tyler, rallying for a Game 1 victory to snap an 11-game skid in the series before falling in the nightcap. The Lady Chaps out-hit UT Tyler 17–9 in the twin bill.
Deeper Dive
- LCU is hitting .313 with runners in scoring position (91-for-291), continuing to show a strong ability to deliver timely offense in key situations.
- The Lady Chaps are converting at a .292 clip (21-for-72) with runners at third and less than two outs. Kadin Vire (.750, 6-for-8) and Ashlinn Hamilton (.417, 5-for-12) continue to lead the way in high-leverage run production.
- LCU owns a .338 leadoff on-base percentage (73-for-216), consistently setting the table offensively. Kadin Vire (.652) and Riley Flores (.522) remain the most effective catalysts at the top of the order.
- Lexi Clark is LCU's leader in two-out hits (11) and two-out RBI (9).
- The Lady Chaps are 11-2 when leading after four innings and 15-2 when leading after six, but just 2-12 when trailing after four and 2-13 when trailing after six, reinforcing how critical early momentum and run prevention are to their success.
- LCU is 12-0 when holding opponents to 0–2 runs, underscoring the effectiveness of their pitching staff when limiting damage. They are also 14-4 when opponents do not hit a home run, compared to just 3-11 when allowing one or more, highlighting the importance of keeping the ball in the park.
- The Lady Chaps are 13-3 when out-hitting opponents, but just 1-11 when being out-hit, showing a strong correlation between offensive production and results.
- LCU is 8-3 when scoring first, compared to 9-12 when opponents score first, further emphasizing the value of early offensive pressure.
- Offensively, LCU has found the most success in the middle scoring tiers, going 9-7 when scoring 3–5 runs and 4-1 when scoring 6–9 runs, while posting a 1-6 mark when limited to two runs or fewer.
Lone Star Conference Breakdown
- This season is LCU's seventh season in the LSC.
- LCU is 134-79 all-time in LSC play.
- The Lady Chaps went 26-18 last season in conference (third in the West Division standings at 18-10).
- LCU is 13-9 this season in LSC play (opened up conference with a 4-0 start for the second time ever as LSC members).
- Lubbock Christian is currently positioning themselves firmly in the middle of a tightly contested standings race. The Lady Chaps have won five of their last eight conference games, including a key road split at UT Tyler, and remain within striking distance of the top tier while creating separation from the .500 mark.
- Lubbock Christian is averaging 4.7 runs per game (104 runs) in conference play, hitting .276 as a team (167-for-604) with 26 doubles, two triples and 11 home runs. The Lady Chaps carry a .345 on-base percentage and .381 slugging percentage, while converting 21-of-27 stolen base attempts (77.8%).
- Kadin Vire continues to anchor the lineup, batting .386 (27-for-70) in conference play with six doubles, one triple and two home runs, producing a .586 slugging percentage and .456 on-base percentage. She remains one of the toughest outs in the conference with just two strikeouts in 70 at-bats.
- Ashlinn Hamilton has been one of the league's most impactful two-way players, hitting .275 with four home runs and a team-high 20 RBI in conference play. In the circle, she owns a 1.36 ERA over 25.2 innings, holding opponents to a .191 batting average while contributing in both starting and relief roles.
- Riley Flores is batting .348 with a .446 on-base percentage in LSC play and has consistently set the tone at the top of the lineup, while Brianna Chambers-Lee (.294, 10 RBI) and Lexi Clark (11 RBI) continue to provide steady middle-of-the-order production.
- Additional depth has come from Piper Garcia, who is hitting .353 in conference play, while Ava Castillo adds speed and situational value with four stolen bases and three sacrifice bunts, helping manufacture runs.
- In the circle, Lexi Clark has been a stabilizing force, going 6–3 with a 2.41 ERA across 52.1 innings in conference play, including three complete games and three shutouts, while limiting opponents to a .233 batting average.
- Kendall Ward has anchored the bullpen with six saves and a 1.77 ERA over 23.2 innings, holding opponents to a .207 average and continuing to serve as LCU's go-to option in late-game situations.
- As a staff, LCU owns a 3.50 ERA in conference play across 150.0 innings, allowing 142 hits with 74 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .248 batting average.
- LCU has gone 3-1 over its last four conference games, highlighted by a sweep of Eastern New Mexico and a road win at UT Tyler to snap an 11-game skid in the series. The Lady Chaps continue to build momentum entering the final stretch of conference play, with each series carrying significant implications in the LSC standings race.
On The Road
- LCU is 9–5 in true road games this season, including a 7–5 Lone Star Conference record away from home. The Lady Chaps opened the season with four consecutive road victories and have posted four shutouts in 14 road contests, while also going 2–0 in extra-inning games.
- The Lady Chaps own a 2.68 ERA in road games, allowing 35 earned runs across 102.1 innings, while holding opponents to a .220 batting average and surrendering just four home runs. LCU pitchers have combined for four complete games and four shutouts away from home.
- Kendall Ward has been dominant on the road, going 3–0 with a 0.30 ERA across 23.2 innings, allowing just one earned run on 17 hits, while holding opponents to a .207 batting average with three saves.
- Natalee Gray is 3–2 with a 3.17 ERA in road appearances, tossing 28.2 innings with 16 strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .210 batting average. She highlighted her road performances with a perfect game at Vanguard and a stretch of 13 consecutive perfect innings pitched.
- Lexi Clark is 3–2 with a 3.00 ERA in road games, recording two complete games and two shutouts across 30.1 innings pitched, continuing to provide stability in the rotation.
- Ashlinn Hamilton has added value in the circle with a 1.80 ERA over 11.2 road innings, holding opponents to a .190 batting average in limited action.
- Offensively, LCU is hitting .269 in road games, totaling 112 hits with 26 extra-base hits (19 doubles, two triples and five home runs) while scoring 62 runs.
- Kadin Vire leads the road lineup with a .383 batting average (18-for-47), recording five doubles, one triple and one home run for a .596 slugging percentage and .453 on-base percentage, while striking out just once.
- Ashlinn Hamilton is batting .298 in road games, collecting 14 hits with two home runs and a team-high 12 RBI, while posting a .489 slugging percentage.
- Riley Flores (.348) and Caitlyn Burris (.286, two home runs) have added depth to the lineup, while Brianna Chambers-Lee has driven in seven runs and contributed four doubles in road contests.
- LCU has outscored opponents 62–41 in road games this season, continuing to pair efficient pitching with timely offense in away environments.
Streaking Along
- Kadin Vire had a 12-game hit streak and a 14-game streak of reaching base safely, which are each the longest streaks of the season by a Lady Chap.
- Brianna Chambers-Lee actively leads LCU with hits in five straight games.
- Riley Flores has reached base safely in 12 consecutive games.
- Additionally, Vire leads LCU with 13 multi-hit performances (10 are two-hit games).
- Ashlinn Hamilton leads LCU with six multi-RBI performances.
Coach Talk
- LCU head coach Daren Hays is in his 16th season at the helm of the Lady Chaps.
- Hays is LCU's winningest softball head coach, entering the weekend with a softball record of 605-233 (he became the 25th active NCAA Div. II head coach to achieve 600 career softball victories).
- Along with surpassing 600 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 1,357 total games at LCU.
Looking at TWU
- Texas Woman's enters the weekend at 21–15 overall and 15–7 in Lone Star Conference play, positioning themselves firmly in the top tier of the LSC standings. TWU has been one of the league's most consistent teams, winning 10 of their last 12 conference games, including series wins over Angelo State, St. Mary's and St. Edward's, while splitting their most recent doubleheader with Midwestern State.
- Offensively, TWU is hitting .281 as a team (.299 in conference play) and features one of the most dynamic top-of-the-order groups in the league. Tamia Cherry (.403 in LSC play), Zaryah Williams (.371) and Marissa Espinoza (.364) have anchored the lineup, combining for consistent contact, speed and run production, with the trio accounting for 80 hits in conference action.
- Marissa Espinoza leads the team overall at .393 with 48 hits, 11 doubles and four home runs, while adding 19 stolen bases, making her one of the most complete offensive threats in the conference. Tamia Cherry (.331 overall, .500 SLG) and Riley Todd (.307, 19 RBI) add additional power and run production in the middle of the order.
- In the circle, TWU is led by Randi Crawford, who is 11–2 with a 2.11 ERA (2.01 in LSC play) and has been one of the most dominant arms in the conference, totaling 97 strikeouts in 96.1 innings with nine complete games and four shutouts. Caydance Gaddis (8–6, 4.13 ERA) serves as the primary complement, giving TWU a reliable two-arm rotation.
- The Pioneers have paired their pitching with aggressive baserunning, going 58-for-68 in stolen bases (38-for-43 in LSC play), while outscoring conference opponents 121–90. TWU is 9–5 at home this season.
