Markwardt throws shutout as LCU beats TAMIU
LAREDO — Ryan Markwardt threw a four-hit shutout, leading Lubbock Christian University over Texas A&M International 1-0 Saturday in the first game of a Lone Star Conference baseball doubleheader.
The junior lefthander from Itasca needed only 76 pitches to go the distance in the seven-inning game. He struck out three, walked one and improved to 4-3.
Markwardt and TAMIU starter Lalo Salinas were engaged in a scoreless pitchers' duel through five innings. LCU (18-13, 17-13) broke through in the sixth when Caden Hensley and Brevin McCool singled and Eduardo Acosta delivered a sacrifice fly.
TAMIU (14-22, 13-21) went into the late game on a four-game losing streak. The series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.
In Friday's series opener, Acosta hit a three-run homer, Ryan Ball unloaded a two-run drive in the eighth and the Chaps fended off a late charge to claim an 8-7 win.
Ball's home run made the score 8-4. The Dustdevils rallied with one run in the eighth and two in the ninth.
A walk, a wild pitch and a double pulled the Dustdevils within two, and another walk forced Chaps head coach Nathan Blackwood to call on Koi Carrillo to slam the door. After hitting a batter and walking another to load the bases, the former Lubbock High standout struck out each of the next three batters to end the game and secure his first save of the season.
LCU softball
LAREDO — Erika Cortez tossed a six-hit shutout and Texas A&M International beat No. 11 Lubbock Christian University 3-0 Saturday, snapping the Lady Chaparrals' 13-game win streak in a Lone Star Conference series finale.
Cortez (7-6) struck out nine and walked five.
TAMIU (16-22, 12-15) backed her with three runs in the first two innings, chasing LCU starter Ashlinn Hamilton (6-1), who walked four in 1 1/3 innings. LCU reliever Maxine Valdez held the line the rest of the way, but the Lady Chaps stranded two runners in the fourth and sixth innings and left the bases loaded in the fifth and the seventh.
LCU (32-9, 22-8) swept a doubleheader Friday, winning 6-0 and 8-2.
In the first game, Kasey Flores and Hope Banales hit two-run homers and Banales finished with three RBI. LCU pitcher Taylor Franco (12-6) set the tone from the circle, striking out five while allowing two hits and walking one in seven innings.
Skylar Herrera notched three RBI in the nightcap. Valdez (13-2) struck out 10 in six innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Kaeleigh Vega pitched a three-up, three-down seventh.
SPC track & field
AUSTIN — The South Plains College men set a meet record in the 3,200-meter relay on Saturday's final day of the 95th Texas Relays.
Kimar Farquharson, Chevonne Hall, Aron Tanui and Mehmet Celik ran a time of 7 minutes, 15.66 seconds, running away from Kansas (7:21.62), Clemson (7:22.04), Texas (7:33.03) and LSU (7:34.19), who finished second through fifth.
In the men's high jump, South Plains' Kudakwashe Chadenga tied for third place, clearing 7 feet, 2 1/2 inches.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Hope Banales nets three RBI as Lubbock Christian sweeps Texas A&M International in LSC softball action
