LUBBOCK, Texas (April 23, 2016) – A grand slam home run by the nation’s home run leader, Morgan Colburn, sparked Lubbock Christian softball to complete the three-game Heartland Conference sweep of Newman with a 9-5 victory on Senior Day at PlainsCapital Park Saturday.
The Jets (18-35, 7-17) jumped out in front first with a home run to left field by Taylor Mannis in the top of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the inning the Lady Chaps (42-12, 19-5) led off with three straight hits by Katlin Reed, Lindzi Clemmer, and Ashton Bell loaded the bases for Colburn who hit her NCAA leading 23rd home run to put LCU up 4-1. Newman would get two more runs in the sixth before the Lady Chaps would plate five more runs of their on in the inning with Sammie Murrietta leading off the inning with a solo home run. Sydney Beuthien followed with a single. Reed singled for the second time in the game before Shlay Denison pinch hit with a single of her own to load the bases. Beuthien then scored off the bat of Bell. Katera Eltsosie followed with a shot off the left field foul pole to score herself, Reed and pinch runner Savanna Luke. The Jets would score two additional runs in the top of the seventh.
Kelsey Hoppel (3-0) started in the circle for the Lady Chaps going five innings allowing only one run off three hits while striking out four Jets to notch her third win. Hoppel was relieved by Katlyn Holmes (1) who threw the final two innings allowing four runs off four hits to earn her first save of the season. Katie Ingles (7-11) threw five innings surrendering six runs off nine hits. Jensen Cromer threw the final inning for Newman allowing an additional three runs off four hits.
