ODESSA, Texas (April 26, 2026) – Lubbock Christian University completes their road slate of this season's regular season schedule Sunday at UTPB Softball Park, as they face UT Permian Basin in a Lone Star Conference noon doubleheader for their final road games, as six games remain in the regular season.
| LONE STAR CONFERENCE SOFTBALL |
| OPPONENT |
LOCATION |
DAY |
TIME (CT) |
VIDEO |
STATS |
WEATHER |
| UTPB |
Odessa, Texas |
Sun., Apr. 26 |
12 p.m. |
Watch |
Stats |
Weather |
| UTPB |
Odessa, Texas |
Sun., Apr. 26 |
2 p.m. |
Watch |
Stats |
Weather |
|
LCU and UTPB Series Snapshot
- Lubbock Christian owns a perfect 43-0 all-time record against UT Permian Basin.
- The Lady Chaps went 5-0 against UTPB last season, with three of the contests played in Lubbock.
- LCU has never lost to UTPB, holding a 27-0 record at home and a 15-0 record in Odessa.
- The Lady Chaps are 24-0 against the Falcons in Lone Star Conference games.
- LCU has scored 374 total runs in the series, averaging 8.7 runs per game.
- LCU has recorded 22 shutouts in the series, including nine of the last 14 meetings.
- The largest margin was a 14-run victory, completed twice and most recently this season (14-0 on Feb. 20).
- The Lady Chaps have run-ruled UTPB in 18 of the 43 matchups.
- This season, LCU has a 2-0 record against UTPB, as LCU won 9-1 (6 inn.) and 14-0 (5 inn.) on Feb. 20 in Lubbock.
- Some notes from this season's series:
- Kadin Vire is 4-for-6 against UTPB with a triple and a pair of RBI.
- Alexis Pacheco is 3-for-6 with a home run and two RBI.
- Lexi Clark is 3-for-5 with a double at the plate and is 1-0 in the circle with one hit allowed in 3.0 innings against UTPB this season.
Season Tidbits
- Lubbock Christian is 23–21 overall and 19–15 in Lone Star Conference play through 44 games, currently sitting tied for sixth in the league standings and inside the top-eight cutoff for the LSC Championship with six conference games remaining. After an 0–5 start, the Lady Chaps surged to a 23–16 mark over their next 39 games before having their five-game win streak snapped Friday at No. 13 Angelo State. LCU enters the weekend 8–4 over its last 12 games and owns an 11–9 road record this season.
- Offensively, LCU is hitting .283 as a team with 341 hits, including 62 doubles, eight triples and 26 home runs, averaging 4.93 runs per game (217 total runs). The Lady Chaps are 39-for-52 in stolen bases (75.0%), continuing to create pressure offensively while ranking ninth in the Lone Star Conference in scoring.
- LCU continues to excel defensively, leading the Lone Star Conference and ranking second nationally with 24 double plays turned (0.55 per game). The Lady Chaps are fielding .951 as a team.
- Kadin Vire remains one of the premier hitters in the Lone Star Conference, batting .410 (57-for-139) with 15 doubles (top-five in LSC), five triples (top-two in LSC) and four home runs. She owns a .676 slugging percentage and .484 on-base percentage while leading LCU with 41 runs scored and 94 total bases. Vire has reached base safely in 12 consecutive games.
- Riley Flores is hitting .307 with five stolen bases and ranks second on the team with a .426 on-base percentage, serving as a consistent table-setter at the top of the lineup.
- Ashlinn Hamilton leads the team with 38 RBI and six home runs while batting .292. She also contributes in the circle with a 3.07 ERA across 45.2 innings pitched.
- Freshman Coryn Burris leads the team with eight home runs and ranks second with 33 RBI, while also standing among the LSC leaders defensively with 85 assists.
- Brianna Chambers-Lee is hitting .290 with 10 doubles and 22 RBI and is coming off her first career home run as a Lady Chap, while Cat Prisock is batting .270 with 15 runs scored in a versatile role.
- Alexis Pacheco continues to be one of the nation's premier defenders, leading the Lone Star Conference and ranking among the top five nationally with 125 assists (2.84 per game). She is also hitting .265 with five home runs and 23 RBI.
- On the bases, Ava Castillo leads the team with 12 stolen bases, while Madison Hunter has nine stolen bases.
- In the circle, LCU owns a 3.75 team ERA with opponents hitting .263. The Lady Chaps rank sixth in the conference in WHIP (1.48).
- Lexi Clark (9–8, 3.06 ERA) leads the staff with 89.1 innings pitched, recording four complete games and five shutouts.
- Kendall Ward (6–4, 3.28 ERA) and Natalee Gray (6–4, 4.30 ERA) have combined for 76 strikeouts, while Ward leads NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference with eight saves, extending her program-record total.
- The Lady Chaps hit three home runs in the Angelo State doubleheader and have produced seven multi-home run games this season.
Deeper Dive
- Lubbock Christian is hitting .298 (116-for-389) with runners in scoring position, while converting at a strong .433 clip (58-for-134) with runners at third and less than two outs. Ashlinn Hamilton continues to anchor those moments, hitting .373 (19-for-51 RISP) and an elite .579 in R3rd <2-out situations,="" while="" kadin="" vire="" (.425="" risp)="" and="" julie="" muniz="" (.444="" risp;="" .778="" r3rd=""><2 outs)="" provide="" consistent="" secondary="">
- The Lady Chaps continue to generate early traffic, posting a .369 leadoff on-base percentage (109-for-295). Kadin Vire (.655) and Riley Flores (.485) set the tone at the top, with Flores adding a .392 average with the bases empty, reinforcing her role as a primary rally starter.
- Production still improves with traffic: LCU is hitting .296 with runners on base compared to .271 with the bases empty. Cat Prisock (.419 with runners on), Ashlinn Hamilton (.341), and Brianna Chambers-Lee (.306) have been key drivers in sustaining innings.
- Situational execution remains a defining trait, as LCU has advanced runners in 49.2% of opportunities (351-for-713). Julie Muniz (.680), Ava Castillo (.656), Cat Prisock (.629), and Ashlinn Hamilton (.545) lead a lineup that consistently manufactures movement.
- Two-out production continues to separate LCU offensively. Coryn Burris is hitting .436 (17-for-39) with two outs and leads the team with 14 two-out RBI, while Hamilton (.333) and Alexis Clark (.273) have extended innings at key moments.
- Inning-by-inning production highlights a balanced offensive attack with a mid-game edge. LCU has scored 37 runs in the fourth inning and 36 in the fifth, combining for over one-third of their total offense. Early innings remain pivotal, as opponents have scored 92 combined runs in the first three frames compared to LCU's 82, reinforcing the importance of early-game pitching stability.
- Game flow trends remain decisive: LCU is 16-2 when leading after four innings and 20-2 when leading after six, but just 2-17 and 2-19 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 16-0 when holding opponents to two runs or fewer, and 17-5 when opponents do not hit a home run, compared to just 6-16 when allowing one or more long balls.
- Hit differential remains one of the clearest indicators of success, as LCU is 19-5 when out-hitting opponents and just 1-15 when being out-hit, reinforcing the lineup's role in dictating results.
- Scoring output continues to scale with success: LCU is 1-9 when scoring two runs or fewer, 9-10 when scoring 3–5 runs, and an impressive 13-2 when scoring six or more runs (including 9-1 when scoring 6–9), underscoring the offense's ability to separate games when it finds rhythm.
Lone Star Conference Breakdown
- This season is LCU's seventh season in the LSC.
- LCU is 138-85 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 19-15 in Lone Star Conference play, sitting in the middle of a tightly contested league race entering the final stretch of the regular season. The Lady Chaps had a five-game conference winning streak snapped in their most recent series but remain firmly in postseason positioning after navigating one of the league's more demanding schedules.
- Lubbock Christian is averaging 4.97 runs per game (169 total runs) in conference play, hitting .280 as a team (257-for-918) with 44 doubles, four triples and 23 home runs. The Lady Chaps own a .360 on-base percentage and .412 slugging percentage, while going 31-for-40 (77.5%) on stolen base attempts, continuing to apply pressure offensively.
- Kadin Vire continues to anchor the lineup, batting .393 (42-for-107) in conference play with 11 doubles, three triples and four home runs. She owns a .664 slugging percentage and .476 on-base percentage, while striking out just six times, remaining one of the most difficult outs in the Lone Star Conference.
- Ashlinn Hamilton remains one of the league's top two-way performers, hitting .294 with six home runs and a team-high 30 RBI. In the circle, she holds a 2.08 ERA across 33.2 innings, limiting opponents to a .214 batting average while providing key innings in both starting and relief roles.
- Riley Flores is hitting .286 with a .433 on-base percentage in conference play, continuing to set the tone offensively, while Coryn Burris (.294, 21 RBI, six HR) and Brianna Chambers-Lee (.282, 16 RBI) provide production and power through the middle of the order.
- Additional depth has come from Piper Garcia, who is hitting .278 with a .435 on-base percentage, while Alexis Pacheco (19 RBI, four HR) and Alexis Clark (11 RBI) continue to deliver timely run production. Ava Castillo adds a speed element, going 9-for-11 in stolen base attempts.
- In the circle, Alexis Clark has been a stabilizing presence, going 8-7 with a 2.87 ERA across 78.0 innings, including four complete games and five shutouts, while holding opponents to a .259 batting average.
- Kendall Ward has anchored the bullpen with six saves and a 2.96 ERA over 49.2 innings, limiting opponents to a .231 batting average while continuing to serve as LCU's primary late-game option.
- As a staff, LCU owns a 3.59 ERA in conference play across 228.0 innings, allowing 224 hits with 129 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .253 batting average.
- LCU has outscored conference opponents 169-139 and has found its greatest offensive rhythm in the middle innings, scoring 34 runs in the fourth inning and 29 in the fifth.
- The Lady Chaps have remained competitive in close conference games, going 7-6 in contests decided by two runs or fewer, including a 4-2 mark in one-run games, reinforcing their ability to execute in high-leverage situations.
On The Road
- Lubbock Christian is 11–9 in true road games this season, including a 9–9 Lone Star Conference record away from home. The Lady Chaps opened the season with four consecutive road victories and have recorded four shutouts in 20 road contests, while also going a perfect 2–0 in extra-inning games.
- The Lady Chaps own a 2.95 ERA in road games, allowing 59 earned runs across 140.0 innings, while holding opponents to a .237 batting average and surrendering nine home runs. LCU pitchers have combined for four shutouts and carry a 1.24 WHIP in away environments.
- Kendall Ward has been a steady presence on the road, going 5–1 with a 1.37 ERA across 41.0 innings, allowing just eight earned runs on 32 hits, while holding opponents to a .212 batting average with three saves and a 1.05 WHIP.
- Natalee Gray is 3–2 with a 3.35 ERA in road appearances, tossing 31.1 innings with 16 strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .227 batting average.
- Lexi Clark is 3–5 with a 4.17 ERA in road games, recording two complete games and two shutouts across 40.1 innings pitched, continuing to provide innings in the rotation.
- Ashlinn Hamilton has added value in the circle with a 1.34 ERA over 15.2 road innings, holding opponents to a .193 batting average in limited action.
- Offensively, LCU is hitting .241 in road games, totaling 136 hits with 42 extra-base hits (30 doubles, three triples and nine home runs) while scoring 76 runs.
- Kadin Vire leads the road lineup with a .369 batting average (24-for-65), recording eight doubles, two triples and two home runs for a .646 slugging percentage and .461 on-base percentage, while striking out just three times.
- Ashlinn Hamilton is hitting .294 with two home runs and a team-high 13 RBI in road games, while Coryn Burris is batting .284 with three home runs and eight RBI, and Brianna Chambers-Lee has added six doubles and nine RBI.
- Additional production has come from Ava Castillo (.244, 5-for-6 SB) and Riley Flores (.242), as LCU continues to generate offense situationally, including a .245 batting average with runners in scoring position.
- LCU has outscored opponents 76–72 in road games this season, continuing to pair pitching depth with timely offense in away environments.
Streaking Along
- Kadin Vire had a 12-game hit streak, which is the longest streak of the season by a Lady Chap.
- Brianna Chambers-Lee actively leads LCU with hits in two 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 12 games.
- Additionally, Vire leads LCU with 17 multi-hit performances (13 are two-hit games).
- Ashlinn Hamilton leads LCU with nine multi-RBI performances. Alexis Pacheco and Vire follow with eight multi-8 contests.
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 611-239 (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 1,369 total games at LCU.
Looking at UTPB
- UT Permian Basin enters the series at 18-25 overall and 9-23 in Lone Star Conference play, sitting near the bottom of the league standings but showing measurable improvement late in the season. The Falcons have won at least one game in five consecutive conference series and arrive on a two-game win streak after sweeping Midwestern State, marking their first LSC series sweep of the season and signaling a team playing its best softball in April.
- Offensively, UTPB is hitting .257 as a team with 155 runs scored, relying more on situational hitting than power despite producing 45 doubles and 22 home runs. Carlee Quintero leads the lineup with a .348 average, while Amathyst Gonzalez (.321, 20 RBI, .556 slugging) and Kelsey Valo (.289, nine doubles, two home runs) provide extra-base production. The Falcons have been opportunistic offensively, but their .323 team on-base percentage and 214 strikeouts highlight some inconsistency in sustaining rallies.
- In the circle, UTPB is anchored by Jessica Cantrell, who owns a 12-8 record with a 2.93 ERA across 136.0 innings and 135 strikeouts, accounting for the bulk of the staff's workload. Behind her, the Falcons have struggled to find consistency, as the rest of the pitching staff carries ERAs above 5.00, contributing to a team ERA of 4.73 and opponents hitting .302 against them this season.
- Defensively, UTPB has posted a .945 fielding percentage with 64 errors, and opponents have taken advantage on the bases, going 111-for-133 in stolen base attempts. The Falcons have also been outscored 256-155 on the season and have allowed 350 hits, illustrating some challenges in limiting traffic and preventing big innings despite flashes of strong individual pitching performances.
- Momentum is a key storyline entering the matchup, as UTPB is coming off back-to-back shutouts in conference play behind dominant pitching performances from Cantrell and Laila Vasquez, while the offense produced 15 runs on 20 hits in the sweep. With senior leadership from players like Keri Sanford, Kelsey Valo, and Angelina Arriaga, the Falcons will look to carry that confidence into their final home series as they aim to play spoiler against an LCU team firmly in the postseason race.
