Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LUBBOCK, Tex. – Lubbock Christian University scored 21 runs to take both games of the doubleheader against the Western New Mexico University softball team, 11-3 in six innings and 10-2 in five innings in the second game Wednesday afternoon.


WNMU (2-11) threatened in the second inning of game one as sophomore Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) singled and after senior Tessa Fanning (Cottonwood, AZ/Mingus Union) walked, a sacrifice groundout by sophomore Samantha Munoz (Peoria, AZ/Centennial) moved both runners up. After a strikeout, senior Breanna Diaz (Las Cruces, NM/Mayfield) was hit-by-pitch to load the bases, but a strikeout followed to end the inning.


LCU (11-3) scored the first run in the home half of the second inning for a 1-0 lead. The Lady Mustangs would get hits from seniors Kale Gahn (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School) and Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) in the third, but they were left stranded. The Lady Chaps added another run in the third and then posted six in the fourth to take an 8-0 lead to the fifth.


WNMU had to score at least a run to keep the game going and they scored more than just one, posting three in the frame. Junior Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) doubled down the left field line on a 2-2 pitch to open the inning. Senior Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) doubled up the middle on a 0-1 pitch to plate Higgins. Gahn singled on an 0-2 pitch up the middle to put runners at the corners. Gentry continued her hitting ways as she singled to right on a 2-0 pitch to bring home McDonald with the second run of the inning and move Gahn to third. Following a pair of strikeouts, Munoz singled down the right field line to plate Gahn leaving WNMU down 8-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth.


Following a scoreless bottom of the fifth and WNMU top of the sixth, the Lady Chaps ended the game in the sixth scoring three runs to take the 11-3 victory. The Lady Mustangs had 10 hits, with McDonald, Gahn and Gentry posting two hits apiece. Sophomore Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) (2-5) took the loss as she pitched all 5.2 innings, giving up four earned runs and had two strikeouts.


LCU came out swinging in the first inning of the nightcap, plating three runs for an early 3-0 lead. WNMU answered back in the second with Othon doubling to right to begin the frame. After a ground out, Diaz doubled up the middle to score Othon. Later, an error allowed Diaz to score leaving the Lady Chaps ahead, 3-2. LCU added two more in the home half to move in front, 5-2.


WNMU would put two runners on in the third, but came up empty. In the fifth, after the Lady Chaps scored five in the fourth, the Lady Mustangs threatened with two outs. Gahn ignited the rally with a single down the right field line. Gentry added a single through the left side and freshman Kylie Christman (Litchfield Park, AZ/Millennium) singled to right to load the bases. A strikeout followed to end the threat and the game with LCU winning, 10-2.


Each team had seven hits, as LCU had four home runs. Gahn and Gentry led the way with two hits apiece. Freshman Breanna Aker (El Mirage, AZ/Apollo) (0-1) took the loss in the circle for WNMU as she pitched 3.2 innings. Sophomore Chyler Imai (Kapaau, HI/Kohala) tossed the final third of an inning.


WNMU will return to Silver City this weekend for their first home games when they open up Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action against Colorado Christian University with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m.