March 18, 2010

Story courtesy of Lubbock Christian Athletic Media Relations

TUCSON, Ariz. - Lubbock Christian University (Texas) played from behind in each of its games Wednesday at the Tucson Invitational Games, but the No. 5 Lady Chaparrals rebounded in each of them to defeat Missouri Valley College 10-2 and No.23 Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.) 7-3 from Lincoln Park.

In the opener against Missouri Valley, the Vikings took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning due in part to a triple by Janie Jungermann. LCU then went on to score 10 unanswered in the game. Kayla Van Dieren hit a single up the middle to start the LCU scoring in the bottom half of the second inning. LCU rattled off three runs in the third with four hits capped by a double from Clarissa Maldonado. In the fourth inning, Priscilla FaGaines connected with a three-run home run for her 13th home run of the season. The homer highlighted a four-run inning for LCU. They closed out the game with a run in the fifth and sixth innings to win via the run-rule in the sixth inning.

Amanda Myers and FaGaines each had three hits in the win for LCU, with FaGaines claiming four RBIs. Jungermann had three hits for MVC to lead the Vikings (10-9) in the loss. Jori Rodgers earned the win pitching for LCU, improving to 11-0, as she allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings pitched.

In its game against SCAD, LCU fell behind in the second inning following a solo home run by Jaime Voelkel. LCU responded in the bottom half of the second inning with a four-run frame. Cori Enriquez and Kim Frazier each had a double in the inning and Van Dieren scored a pair of runs with a triple. The Bees manufactured a run in the third inning to cut LCU's lead to 4-2, but the Lady Chaps built the lead back up with a trio of runs in the bottom of the frame. Van Dieren hit her second triple of the game for another pair of RBI and LCU led 7-2. Kristen Curette scored the game's only other run with a lead-off solo home run for SCAD in the top of the sixth.

SCAD (18-7) out-hit LCU 11-8, but half of LCU's hits were for extra bases. Alyssa Gutierrez claimed the win with a complete game in the circle to improve to 13-2 on the season. She allowed three runs on 11 hits and struck out eight batters. Van Dieren finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs for LCU.

LCU completed the Tucson Invitational Games with a 5-1 record and they are now 19-1 all-time in the annual event. FaGaines finished this season's event going 10-for-21 (.476) with three home runs and 10 RBI. Enriquez led the team in hits with 11 in 21 at-bats for a .524 batting average.

The two wins Wednesday improved LCU to 26-2 on the season. The Lady Chaps return home to host Mid-America Christian University Saturday for a Sooner Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday with a noon first pitch from Plains Capital Park.