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A Game Day graphic for LCU Softball set against Maner Park in Lubbock. Two photos of the same Lady Chaps player (#12) in an orange uniform are featured — a posed shot in the upper left and a full-body shot at home plate in the center. Bold text reads

Lady Chaps Look to Keep Climbing as TAMIU Comes to Town

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

LCU Carries Momentum Into Key Conference Doubleheader at Maner Park

LUBBOCK, Texas (April 19, 2026) – Lubbock Christian University ignited its climb in the Lone Star Conference standings with Friday's sweep of Texas A&M-Kingsville and looks to keep surging Sunday against Texas A&M International in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Maner Park.
 
LONE STAR CONFERENCE SOFTBALL
OPPONENT LOCATION DAY TIME (CT) VIDEO STATS WEATHER
TAMIU Maner Park  Sun., Apr. 19 1 p.m. Watch Stats Weather
TAMIU Maner Park  Sun., Apr. 19 3 p.m. Watch Stats Weather
TICKETS
    
LCU and TAMIU Series Snapshot
  • Lubbock Christian holds a 27-11 all-time series lead over Texas A&M International.
  • The Lady Chaps have won nine of the last 12 matchups, as LCU swept the doubleheader last season at home 10-0 and 5-4 on Feb. 28, 2025.
  • LCU is 14-4 all-time at home against the Dustdevils, as the last five meetings in the all-time series have been played in Lubbock (the five games prior to the current string of games in Lubbock were played in Laredo).
  • Five of the last 10 LCU wins in the series have been shutouts.
  • LCU's largest margin of victory in the series is 13-0 (April 10, 2022).
  • Since joining the Lone Star Conference, LCU has a 24-10 conference record against TAMIU.

Season Tidbits
  • Lubbock Christian is 21–19 overall and 17–13 in Lone Star Conference play through 40 games, currently sitting tied for sixth in the league standings and firmly inside the top-eight cutoff for the LSC Championship with 10 conference games remaining. After an 0–5 start, the Lady Chaps have surged to a 21–14 mark since and carry a three-game winning streak into Sunday following a doubleheader sweep of Texas A&M-Kingsville. LCU is 6–4 over its last 10 games and owns an 11–7 road record this season.
  • Offensively, LCU is hitting .279 as a team with 307 hits, including 57 doubles, seven triples and 18 home runs, averaging 4.70 runs per game (193 total runs). The Lady Chaps are 36-for-47 in stolen bases (76.6%), continuing to apply pressure on the basepaths.
  • LCU continues to excel defensively, leading the Lone Star Conference and ranking among the nation's best with 24 double plays turned (0.59 per game). The Lady Chaps are fielding .952 as a team.
  • Kadin Vire remains one of the top hitters in the conference, batting .409 (52-for-127) with 14 doubles (6th in LSC), four triples (3rd in LSC) and two home runs, posting a .630 slugging percentage and .479 on-base percentage. She leads LCU with 38 runs scored and ranks among the LSC leaders in total bases, while riding a multi-game on-base streak.
  • Riley Flores is hitting .338 with five stolen bases and ranks second on the team with a .447 on-base percentage.
  • Ashlinn Hamilton leads the team with 38 RBI and six home runs, coming off a seven-RBI performance in Friday's doubleheader sweep, while also contributing in the circle with a 3.07 ERA across 45.2 innings.
  • Freshman Coryn Burris leads the squad with seven home runs and 30 RBI, while also ranking among the LSC leaders defensively with 77 assists.
  • Brianna Chambers-Lee is hitting .292 with 10 doubles and 19 RBI, while Cat Prisock is batting .268 with 14 runs scored in a versatile role.
  • Alexis Pacheco continues to be one of the nation's premier defenders, leading the Lone Star Conference with 121 assists (3.03 per game leads Division II).
  • On the bases, Ava Castillo leads the team with 10 stolen bases, while Madison Hunter is 9-for-10 in stolen base attempts.
  • In the circle, LCU owns a 3.74 team ERA (5th in the LSC) with opponents hitting .264.
  • Lexi Clark (8–7, 2.90 ERA) leads the staff with 79.2 innings pitched, recording three complete games and four shutouts after earning both wins in Friday's doubleheader.
  • Natalee Gray (6–4, 4.28 ERA) and Kendall Ward (5–3, 3.24 ERA) have combined for 70 strikeouts, while Ward leads NCAA Division II and the LSC with eight saves, extending her program-record career total.
 
Deeper Dive
  • Lubbock Christian is hitting .302 (110-for-364) with runners in scoring position, while converting at a strong .434 clip (56-for-129) with runners at third and less than two outs. Ashlinn Hamilton has been the primary run producer in those moments, hitting .388 (19-for-49 RISP) and an elite .579 with runners at third and less than two outs, while Kadin Vire (.436) and Julie Muniz (.438 RISP; .778 R3rd <2 outs)="" provide="" consistent="" secondary="">
  • The Lady Chaps continue to create early traffic, posting a .359 leadoff on-base percentage (97-for-270). Kadin Vire (.654) and Riley Flores (.500) set the tone at the top, with Flores adding a .422 average with the bases empty, reinforcing her role as a rally starter.
  • Production improves significantly with traffic: LCU is hitting .293 with runners on base compared to .265 with the bases empty. Cat Prisock (.433 with runners on), Hamilton (.346), and Brianna Chambers-Lee (.304) have been key drivers in sustaining innings.
  • Situational execution remains a defining trait, as LCU has advanced runners in 49.2% of opportunities (321-for-652). Julie Muniz (.652), Cat Prisock (.618), Ashlinn Hamilton (.548), and Kadin Vire (.514) lead a lineup that consistently manufactures movement.
  • Two-out production continues to separate LCU offensively. Coryn Burris is hitting .382 (13-for-34) with two outs and leads the team with 11 two-out RBI, while Hamilton (.333) and Lexi Clark (.268) have extended innings at key moments.
  • Inning-by-inning production reveals a mid-game surge, with LCU scoring 36 runs in the fourth inning (season-high) and 30 in the fifth, combining for over one-third of their total offense in those two frames. Conversely, opponents have done their most damage early, scoring 66 combined runs in the first three innings, highlighting the importance of early-game pitching stability.
  • Game flow trends remain decisive: LCU is 14-2 when leading after four innings and 18-2 when leading after six, but just 2-16 and 2-17 when trailing in those same splits, emphasizing the importance of playing from ahead.
  • Run prevention continues to dictate outcomes. The Lady Chaps are a perfect 14-0 when holding opponents to two runs or fewer, and 16-5 when opponents do not hit a home run, compared to just 4-14 when allowing one or more long balls.
  • Hit differential remains one of the clearest indicators of success, as LCU is 17-4 when out-hitting opponents and just 1-14 when being out-hit, reinforcing the lineup's role in dictating results.
  • Scoring output scales sharply with success: LCU is 1-9 when scoring two runs or fewer, 9-8 when scoring 3–5 runs, and 11-2 when scoring six or more, including 7-1 when plating between six and nine runs.
 
Lone Star Conference Breakdown
  • This season is LCU's seventh season in the LSC.
  • LCU is 138-83 all-time in LSC play.
  • The Lady Chaps went 26-18 last season in conference (third in the West Division standings at 18-10).
  • Lubbock Christian is 17-13 in Lone Star Conference play, remaining firmly in the middle of a tightly contested standings race after opening league action with a 4-0 start for the second time as members. The Lady Chaps enter the stretch run having won three straight conference games, continuing to position themselves for postseason play.
    • Lubbock Christian is averaging 4.83 runs per game (145 total runs) in Lone Star Conference play, hitting .274 as a team (223-for-815) with 39 doubles, three triples and 15 home runs. The Lady Chaps own a .350 on-base percentage and .384 slugging percentage, while going 28-for-35 (80.0%) on stolen base attempts, continuing to show efficiency on the basepaths.
    • Kadin Vire continues to anchor the lineup, batting .389 (37-for-95) in conference play with 10 doubles, two triples and two home runs. She owns a .600 slugging percentage and .468 on-base percentage, while striking out just five times, remaining one of the toughest outs in the league.
    • Ashlinn Hamilton remains one of the conference's top two-way performers, hitting .286 with six home runs and a team-high 30 RBI. In the circle, she holds a 2.08 ERA over 33.2 innings, limiting opponents to a .214 average while continuing to provide versatility in both starting and relief roles.
    • Riley Flores is hitting .322 with a .461 on-base percentage in LSC play, consistently setting the tone offensively, while Brianna Chambers-Lee (.284, 13 RBI) and Coryn Burris (.278, 18 RBI, five HR) provide steady production and power through the middle of the order.
    • Additional depth has come from Piper Garcia, who is hitting .281 with a .425 on-base percentage, while Alexis Pacheco (15 RBI) and Alexis Clark (11 RBI) continue to contribute key run production. Ava Castillo adds a speed element, going 7-for-9 in stolen base attempts.
    • In the circle, Lexi Clark has been a stabilizing presence, going 7-6 with a 2.66 ERA across 68.1 innings, including three complete games and four shutouts, while holding opponents to a .251 batting average.
    • Kendall Ward has anchored the bullpen with six saves and a 2.82 ERA over 39.2 innings, limiting opponents to a .231 average and continuing to serve as LCU's primary late-game option.
    • As a staff, LCU owns a 3.57 ERA in conference play across 204.0 innings, allowing 200 hits with 115 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .253 batting average.
    • LCU has outscored conference opponents 145-124, with their most productive inning coming in the fourth (33 runs), continuing to show a tendency to build offense in the middle frames.
    • The Lady Chaps have remained competitive in tight conference games, going 7-5 in contests decided by two runs or fewer, while also posting a 4-1 record in one-run games, reinforcing their ability to execute in high-leverage situations.
 
Home Sweet Home
  • LCU is 356-69 (83.8%) all-time in home games at Maner Park.
  • Last season, LCU was 21-6 at home (15-6 in 2024). This season will match their 2024 home slate, as 2024 was the only prior season in program history in which LCU did not host a non-conference game. 
  • This season, Lubbock Christian is 8-6 at home, with all 14 games coming in Lone Star Conference play. The Lady Chaps secured series sweeps over UT Permian Basin, Midwestern State, Eastern New Mexico and Texas A&M-Kingsville, while their six losses came against Cameron and nationally ranked Angelo State and West Texas A&M at Maner Park.
  • Lubbock Christian is outscoring opponents 86-66 (+20 run differential) at home while averaging 6.14 runs per game and allowing 4.71 runs per contest, showing a clear offensive uptick on their home field.
  • Offensively, the Lady Chaps are hitting .326 at home (118-for-362) with a .400 on-base percentage and .450 slugging percentage, producing 16 doubles, one triple and nine home runs. LCU has also gone 16-for-17 (94.1%) on stolen base attempts, continuing elite efficiency on the bases.
  • Kadin Vire has been dominant in Lubbock, hitting .386 with a .449 OBP and .568 slugging percentage, while scoring a team-high 15 runs and posting a 1.017 OPS.
  • Riley Flores has set the tone at the top of the lineup with a .333 average and .477 on-base percentage, drawing 10 walks and reaching base at a high clip to ignite early offense.
  • Ashlinn Hamilton has delivered the most impact power, batting .286 with four home runs and 18 RBI, while leading the team with a .619 slugging percentage.
  • Alexis Pacheco has been one of LCU's most efficient run producers, hitting .351 with two home runs and 13 RBI, supported by a .568 slugging percentage, while Coryn Burris (.286, 12 RBI, 2 HR) adds middle-of-the-order production.
  • Additional depth has come from Lexi Clark (.355, 7 RBI), Kenzie Kauk (.381 in limited at-bats) and Cat Prisock (.320), helping maintain balance throughout the lineup.
  • LCU has been particularly effective situationally at home, hitting .361 with runners in scoring position (48-for-133) and an impressive .537 with runners at third and less than two outs (29-for-54), while advancing runners at a 49.8% rate (123-for-247).
  • In the circle, LCU owns a 4.43 ERA across 90.0 innings, allowing 99 hits with 60 strikeouts and holding opponents to a .273 batting average.
  • Lexi Clark has anchored the staff with a 4-2 record and 1.71 ERA over 32.2 innings, including two shutouts, while Ashlinn Hamilton (2.72 ERA) has provided steady support in both starting and relief roles.
  • Natalee Gray (2-2) and Reese Farrar (1-0, 0.93 WHIP) have added depth, while Kendall Ward leads the bullpen with three saves, continuing to handle late-inning opportunities.
  • Defensively, LCU holds a .957 fielding percentage at home and has turned nine double plays, supporting its pitching staff with consistent play behind the ball.
  • The Lady Chaps have shown strong control when dictating the game flow, going 8-1 when leading after five innings and 8-0 when leading after seven, but are 0-5 when trailing after four innings, emphasizing the importance of early momentum.
  • LCU is 7-1 when out-hitting opponents at home, compared to 0-5 when being out-hit, reinforcing the direct correlation between offensive production and success.
  • Offensively, LCU's most productive inning at home has been the fourth (21 runs), continuing a season-long trend of middle-inning scoring surges.
  • The Lady Chaps have also capitalized on dominant performances, posting multiple run-rule victories and going a perfect 6-0 when holding opponents to two runs or fewer at Maner Park.
 
Streaking Along
  • Kadin Vire had a 12-game hit streak, which is the longest streak of the season by a Lady Chap.
  • Vire actively leads LCU with hits in seven straight games.
  • Riley Flores had reached base safely in 15 consecutive games, which is the longest by a Lady Chaps member this season.
  • Vire actively leads LCU in consecutive games reaching base safely with a streak of eight.
  • Additionally, Vire leads LCU with 15 multi-hit performances (11 are two-hit games).
  • Ashlinn Hamilton leads LCU with nine 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 609-237 (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 1,365 total games at LCU.

Looking at TAMIU
  • Texas A&M International enters the weekend at 12-31 overall and 8-22 in Lone Star Conference play, sitting in the lower tier of the standings, but the Dustdevils arrive with momentum after sweeping Midwestern State on the road Friday. The sweep marked just their second conference doubleheader sweep of the season and showcased their ability to win tight games, with both victories coming by 3-2 margins, including an extra-inning win.
  • The Dustdevils have struggled offensively overall, hitting .234 as a team with a .319 on-base percentage and .328 slugging percentage, while being outscored 231-136 on the season. However, they feature a handful of dangerous bats, led by Victoria Espinoza (.260, 7 HR, 24 RBI, .496 SLG) and Queenandra Dunn (.293, 3 HR, 21 RBI), with Austyn Marriage (.273, .405 OBP) adding table-setting ability. TAMIU has shown situational inconsistency, stranding 256 runners on base, which has limited their ability to fully capitalize on scoring chances.
  • In the circle, TAMIU owns a 4.82 team ERA, allowing opponents to hit .316, but they rely heavily on volume arms. Kylie Goad (6-14, 5.04 ERA, 118.0 IP) and Nevaeh Herrera (4-12, 4.42 ERA, 99.2 IP) anchor the staff, combining for over 200 innings pitched. Goad showed strong form in the series finale at Midwestern State with a complete-game win, while Herrera delivered 7.1 innings in the opener, signaling the Dustdevils may lean on that duo heavily again Sunday.
  • While their overall record is lopsided, TAMIU has been notably more competitive away from home, posting a 7-9 road record compared to just 1-15 at home. That contrast is significant, as the Dustdevils have already shown the ability to win in hostile environments, including conference road wins at UT Permian Basin, UT Dallas and now Midwestern State. Their ability to play tighter games on the road could present a different challenge than their overall record suggests.
  • Recent form indicates TAMIU may be playing its best softball of the season, having won five of its last eight conference games, including series splits and road success. Their wins have largely come in low-scoring contests, emphasizing pitching, defense and timely hitting. If the Dustdevils are able to control tempo and keep scoring limited, they have shown the ability to hang around late — but they are 0-20 when allowing more than five runs, highlighting a clear threshold for success.
 
 
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