LCU Rallies Twice

LUBBOCK, Texas (April 16, 2011) – No.11 Lubbock Christian University rallied from a pair of big deficits and had each game decided on the final pitch, as the Lady Chaparrals kept their perfect record at home intact with a 7-6 and 8-7 win to sweep Oklahoma Christian University in a Sooner Athletic Conference doubleheader at PlainsCapital Park Saturday.

In the opener, the Lady Chaps rallied from a 6-2 deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning with Melissa Hartkop following a walk to Kim Frazier with a two-run home run.  The home run by Hartkop cut LCU’s deficit to 6-4.  In the bottom of the seventh inning, Cori Enriquez led off with a walk and was advanced to third base on Priscilla FaGaines’ double.  Kayla Van Dieren tied the game at 6-6 with a double to score both runners.  With pinch runner Kirstie Cochran running at first base and two outs, Hartkop hit a fly ball to centerfield, which was dropped by centerfielder Sarah Peoples and Cochran scored to steal the win. 

LCU had a pair of comebacks in the opener.  A pair of errors in the first inning led to a 1-0 OC lead and LCU responded with a solo home run by Van Dieren in the third inning and a Stephanie Rendon sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead.  The LCU lead was quickly vanished after a five-run top of the fifth inning was highlighted by a DaVee Croy grand slam for a 6-2 OC lead.  Meagan Navarette claimed the opening game win for LCU with six runs allowed on eight hits in seven innings pitched.  She remains perfect with a 13-0 mark on the season.

LCU had an even tougher hill to climb in the second game after OC jumped out to a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning.  OC produced all five runs off pitcher Alyssa Freight.  Only two of the runs were earned against Freight, who went 2.2 innings.  In the bottom of the third inning, the Lady Chap bats came alive.  Van Dieren and Hartkop produced back-to-back home runs to cut the deficit to 5-2.  Andrea Argee led off the bottom of the fourth inning for LCU with a solo home run and it sparked a six-run inning for LCU.  Kim Frazier hit a two-run shot for her 15^th home run of the season and her 50^th of her NAIA career.  LCU led 8-5 following the inning.  OC attempted a late rally with four hits off Amanda Longorio in the top of the seventh inning for a pair of runs to cut the LCU lead to 8-7.  OC had runners on the corners with one out and Taylor Renshaw hit a line drive that was snagged by Frazier at first base, who was able to double-up the runner at first for the game-ending double play.

Longorio improved to 7-0 with the victory.  She allowed two runs in 4.1 innings and struck out four batters.  LCU hit six home runs on the day, with four coming in the second game.  Hartkop and Van Dieren each had a pair on the afternoon.  Kayla Jennings of OC finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBI.

The wins improved LCU’s home record to 14-0 on the season and they have won 12 consecutive games.  LCU is 39-6 overall and 16-4 in SAC play, while OC drops to 33-12 on the season and 14-8 in conference.  The Lady Chaps travel to Shawnee, Okla. Thursday to face St. Gregory’s University for a doubleheader.