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LUBBOCK, Texas (April 16, 2026) \u2013 With just two wins separating four teams in the Lone Star Conference standings, the race tightens heading into a pivotal weekend at Maner Park, where Lubbock Christian University opens a Friday series against Texas A&M-Kingsville with a 3 p.m. doubleheader.
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\nSeason Tidbits<\/p>\n
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\nCoach Talk<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\tLONE STAR CONFERENCE SOFTBALL
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\n\t\t\tOPPONENT
\n\t\t\tLOCATION
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\n\t\t\tTAMUK
\n\t\t\tManer Park
\n\t\t\t\u00a0Fri., Apr. 17
\n\t\t\t3 p.m.
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\n\t\t\tTAMUK
\n\t\t\tManer Park
\n\t\t\t\u00a0Fri., Apr. 17
\n\t\t\t5 p.m.
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\n\t\t\tStats<\/a>
\n\t\t\tWeather<\/a>
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\nLCU and TAMUK Series Snapshot<\/p>\n
\n\tLubbock Christian holds a 9-8 all-time series lead over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
\n\tTAMUK swept LCU last season in Lubbock, winning 9-1 (in five innings) and 5-2 on Mar. 2, 2025. The 9-1 win for the Javelinas was a no-hitter completed by Arianna Alaniz.
\n\tThe Lady Chaps’ largest margin of victory in the series was a 10-0 win on March 11, 2023 in Kingsville.
\n\tLCU has a 5-7 conference record against TAMUK since joining the Lone Star Conference.
\n\tTAMUK has the all-time series edge in Lubbock (5-2). After Friday’s pair of games, the two teams will have played seven straight games in the series in Lubbock. Prior to the stretch, the two programs had five consecutive meetings in Kingsville.
\n\tLCU’s longest win streak in the series was four games (March 18, 2016 – Feb. 9, 2018), while TAMUK’s longest was three games (April 16, 2021 – April 8, 2022).
\n\tLCU has combined for 91 total runs in series history, with LCU averaging 5.35 runs per game.
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\n\tLubbock Christian is 19\u201319 overall and 15\u201313 in Lone Star Conference play through 38 games, sitting eighth in the league standings\u2014currently holding a spot inside the top-eight cutoff for the LSC Championship with 12 conference games remaining. After an 0\u20135 start, the Lady Chaps have gone 19\u201314 since, including a strong 11\u20137 road record. LCU enters the week following a doubleheader split at UT Dallas and is 5\u20135 over its last 10 games.
\n\tOffensively, LCU is hitting .275 as a team with 287 hits, including 53 doubles, seven triples and 15 home runs, averaging 4.61 runs per game (175 total runs). The Lady Chaps are 35-for-46 in stolen bases (76.1%), continuing to apply pressure on the basepaths.
\n\tLCU continues to excel defensively, leading the Lone Star Conference and ranking second nationally with 23 double plays (0.61 per game). The Lady Chaps are fielding .951 as a team.
\n\tKadin Vire<\/a> remains one of the top hitters in the conference, batting .405 (49-for-121, 8th in LSC) with 13 doubles (6th in LSC), four triples (3rd in LSC) and two home runs, posting a .628 slugging percentage and .474 on-base percentage. She leads LCU with 35 runs scored and ranks among the LSC leaders in total bases.
\n\tRiley Flores<\/a> is hitting .361 with five stolen bases and ranks second on the team with a .453 on-base percentage.
\n\tAshlinn Hamilton<\/a> leads the team with 31 RBI and has added four home runs, while also contributing in the circle with a 2.56 ERA across 43.2 innings.
\n\tFreshman Coryn Burris<\/a> leads the squad with six home runs and 26 RBI, while also ranking among the LSC leaders defensively with 75 assists (9th in the conference).
\n\tBrianna Chambers-Lee<\/a> is hitting .292 with nine doubles and 17 RBI, while Cat Prisock<\/a> is batting .269 with 13 runs scored in a versatile role.
\n\tAlexis Pacheco<\/a> continues to be one of the nation’s premier defenders, ranking fourth in NCAA Division II and leading the Lone Star Conference with 121 assists (3.18 per game leads Division II).
\n\tOn the bases, Madison Hunter<\/a> is 9-for-10 in stolen bases, while Ava Castillo<\/a> joing Hunter co-leading the team with nine steals.
\n\tIn the circle, LCU owns a 3.73 team ERA (5th in the LSC) with opponents hitting .262.
\n\tLexi Clark<\/a> (7\u20137, 3.03 ERA) leads the staff with 74.0 innings pitched, recording three complete games and four shutouts.
\n\tNatalee Gray<\/a> (6\u20134, 4.17 ERA) and Kendall Ward<\/a> (5\u20133, 3.19 ERA) have combined for 65 strikeouts, while Ward leads NCAA Division II and the LSC with eight saves, extending her program-record career total.
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\nDeeper Dive<\/p>\n
\n\tLubbock Christian is hitting .291 (100-for-344) with runners in scoring position and has converted at a .417 clip (50-for-120) with runners at third and less than two outs. Kadin Vire<\/a> (.447, 17-for-38 RISP) and Ashlinn Hamilton<\/a> (.348, 16-for-46 RISP; .529 R3rd <2 outs)=”” continue=”” to=”” anchor=”” production=”” in=”” high-leverage=”” moments,=”” while=”” julie=”” muniz=”” (.778=”” r3rd=””>2><2 outs)=”” has=”” been=”” highly=”” efficient=”” in=”” limited=””>2>
\n\tThe Lady Chaps own a .357 leadoff on-base percentage (92-for-258), with Riley Flores<\/a> (.556) and Vire (.640) consistently setting the table. Flores is also hitting .463 with the bases empty, providing a steady spark at the start of innings.
\n\tLCU is hitting .289 with runners on compared to .260 with the bases empty, reinforcing a trend of elevated production in traffic. Cat Prisock<\/a> (.464 with runners on) and Hamilton (.329) have been among the most reliable in those situations.
\n\tSituational advancement remains a strength, as LCU has successfully advanced runners in 49.3% of opportunities (303-for-614). Prisock (.677), Ava Castillo<\/a> (.667) and Vire (.522) lead the team in advancing runners, highlighting consistent execution in moving runners station-to-station.
\n\tThe Lady Chaps continue to rely heavily on early momentum, going 13-2 when leading after four innings and 16-2 when leading after six, but just 2-16 when trailing after four and 2-17 when trailing after six.
\n\tRun prevention remains the clearest indicator of success: LCU is 13-0 when holding opponents to two runs or fewer and 15-5 when opponents do not hit a home run, compared to just 4-14 when allowing a long ball.
\n\tLCU is 15-4 when out-hitting opponents, but only 1-14 when being out-hit, underscoring the importance of offensive consistency throughout the lineup.
\n\tThe Lady Chaps are 10-4 when scoring first, but 9-15 when opponents strike first, continuing to emphasize the value of early offensive execution.
\n\tProduction scales directly with scoring output: LCU is 1-9 when scoring two runs or fewer, 9-8 when scoring 3\u20135 runs, and 11-2 when scoring six or more runs.
\n\tIn two-out situations, Coryn Burris<\/a> leads the team with a .394 average (13-for-33), while Hamilton (.324) and Alexis Clark (.268) have also contributed to extending innings. Burris leads LCU with 11 two-out RBI, while Vire and Hamilton remain key situational contributors in late-count production.
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\nLone Star Conference Breakdown<\/p>\n
\n\tThis season is LCU’s seventh season in the LSC.
\n\tLCU is 136-83 all-time in LSC play.
\n\tThe Lady Chaps went 26-18 last season in conference (third in the West Division standings at 18-10).
\n\tLubbock Christian is 15-13 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.
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\n\t\tLubbock Christian is averaging 4.54 runs per game (127 total runs) in Lone Star Conference play, hitting .267 as a team (203-for-760) with 35 doubles, three triples and 12 home runs. The Lady Chaps own a .342 on-base percentage and .368 slugging percentage, while going 27-for-34 (79.4%) on stolen base attempts, continuing to show efficiency on the basepaths.
\n\t\tKadin Vire<\/a> continues to anchor the lineup, batting .382 (34-for-89) in conference play with nine doubles, two triples and two home runs. She owns a .596 slugging percentage and .461 on-base percentage, while striking out just four times, remaining one of the toughest outs in the league.
\n\t\tAshlinn Hamilton<\/a> remains one of the conference’s top two-way performers, hitting .272 with four home runs and a team-high 23 RBI. In the circle, she holds a 1.33 ERA over 31.2 innings, limiting opponents to a .191 average while providing versatility in both starting and relief roles.
\n\t\tRiley Flores<\/a> is hitting .352 with a team-best .471 on-base percentage in LSC play, consistently setting the tone offensively, while Brianna Chambers-Lee<\/a> (.284, 11 RBI) and Lexi Clark<\/a> (11 RBI) continue to provide stability in the middle of the order.
\n\t\tAdditional depth has come from Piper Garcia<\/a>, who is hitting .308 in conference games with a .455 on-base percentage, while Coryn Burris<\/a> has added power production with four home runs and 14 RBI. Ava Castillo<\/a> continues to provide versatility with speed, going 6-for-8 in stolen base attempts.
\n\t\tIn the circle, Clark has been a stabilizing presence, going 6-6 with a 2.79 ERA across 62.2 innings, including three complete games and three shutouts, while holding opponents to a .251 batting average.
\n\t\tKendall Ward<\/a> has anchored the bullpen with six saves and a 2.74 ERA over 38.1 innings, limiting opponents to a .227 average and continuing to serve as LCU’s primary late-game option.
\n\t\tAs a staff, LCU owns a 3.54 ERA in conference play across 190.0 innings, allowing 183 hits with 99 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .250 batting average.
\n\t\tLCU has outscored conference opponents 127-116, with their most productive inning coming in the fourth, continuing to show a tendency to build offense in the middle frames.
\n\t\tThe Lady Chaps have remained competitive in tight conference games, going 7-5 in contests decided by two runs or fewer, reinforcing their ability to stay within striking distance throughout conference play.
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\nHome Sweet Home<\/p>\n
\n\tLCU is 354-69 (83.7%) all-time in home games at Maner Park.
\n\tLast 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.\u00a0
\n\tThis season, Lubbock Christian is 6-6 at home, with all 12 games coming in Lone Star Conference play. The Lady Chaps secured series sweeps over UT Permian Basin, Midwestern State, and Eastern New Mexico, while their six losses came against Cameron and nationally ranked Angelo State and West Texas A&M at Maner Park.
\n\t\u2022 LCU has outscored opponents 68-58 at home (+10 run differential), averaging 5.7 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs per contest.
\n\t\u2022 Offensively, the Lady Chaps are hitting .319 at Maner Park, totaling 98 hits in 307 at-bats with a .390 on-base percentage and .423 slugging percentage. LCU has gone 15-for-16 (93.8%) on stolen base attempts, continuing to show elite efficiency on the bases.
\n\t\u2022 Riley Flores<\/a> has been a catalyst at the top, hitting .393 with a team-best .500 on-base percentage, while Kadin Vire<\/a> has added a .368 average with a team-high 12 runs scored and a .553 slugging percentage.
\n\t\u2022 Alexis Pacheco<\/a> has been a key run producer, batting .367 with two home runs and 10 RBI, posting a .600 slugging percentage at home.
\n\t\u2022 Lexi Clark<\/a> continues to be a strong two-way contributor, hitting .355 with seven RBI while going 3-2 in the circle with a 1.81 ERA across 27.0 innings, including two shutouts.
\n\t\u2022 Additional offensive depth has come from Piper Garcia<\/a> (.364), Cat Prisock<\/a> (.333), and Brianna Chambers-Lee<\/a> (.300), helping sustain lineup balance.
\n\t\u2022 In the circle, LCU owns a 4.51 ERA at home across 76.0 innings, allowing 82 hits with 44 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .271 batting average.
\n\t\u2022 Ashlinn Hamilton<\/a> has been highly effective, posting a 1.31 ERA over 16.0 innings, while Clark has anchored the rotation. Natalee Gray<\/a> has added two wins, and Kendall Ward<\/a> leads the bullpen with three saves.
\n\t\u2022 Defensively, LCU holds a .953 fielding percentage at home and has turned eight double plays, providing steady support behind the pitching staff.
\n\t\u2022 The Lady Chaps have shown offensive explosiveness at Maner Park with run-rule wins over UT Permian Basin (9-1, 14-0) and Eastern New Mexico (11-0), while also posting a perfect 5-0 record when holding opponents to two runs or fewer.
\n\t\u2022 LCU has been particularly strong in the middle innings at home, scoring 21 runs in the fourth inning\u2014its highest output in any frame\u2014while posting a 6-1 record when leading after five innings.
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\nStreaking Along<\/p>\n
\n\tKadin Vire<\/a> had a 12-game hit streak, which is the longest streak of the season by a Lady Chap.
\n\tVire actively leads LCU with hits in five straight games.
\n\tRiley Flores<\/a> had reached base safely in 15 consecutive games, which is the longest by a Lady Chaps member this season.
\n\tVire actively leads LCU in consecutive games reaching base safely with a streak of six.
\n\tAdditionally, Vire leads LCU with 14 multi-hit performances (10 are two-hit games).
\n\tAshlinn Hamilton<\/a> leads LCU with seven multi-RBI performances.
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