Elida posts district win over Floyd

LUBBOCK — Third baseman George Mendazona broke a scoreless tie with a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the fifth and Lubbock Christian went on to hand Eastern New Mexico University an 8-0 loss on Friday in the opener of a three-game Lone Star Conference baseball series.

The teams were slated to finish the series with a twin bill on Saturday.

LCU’s Armando Valle (2-4) went the distance on a six-hitter, throwing 131 pitches and striking out 14. He was locked in a duel with ENMU junior Josh Lewis (0-4) until Mendazona’s two-bagger put the Chaparrals (9-16, 8-14 LSC) in front.

Lubbock Christian added single runs in the sixth and seventh, then finished it off with a four-run eighth capped by a two-run double from first baseman Nolan Machibroda. Leadoff man Eduardo Acosta paced the Chaps’ 13-hit attack, going 3-for-3 with a walk, while second baseman Caden Hensley and shortstop Colin Gordon all had a pair of knocks.

Lewis, who has made several quality starts this spring, allowed seven hits and three earned runs over six innings in this one. Sophomore right fielder Cole Luedeking was 2-for-4 for ENMU.

No. 13 Eagles sweep ENMU in softball — The ENMU softball squad, playing its first games under interim coach Dusty Grawrock, did manage a small accomplishment on Friday: The Greyhounds went the full seven innings for the first time this season in the second game of their Lone Star Conference twin bill against NCAA Division II No. 13 Oklahoma Christian in Oklahoma City.

More than that, the Hounds (0-15, 0-14 LSC) missed a couple of golden opportunities to make the contest even a bit closer.

Oklahoma Christian (25-5, 15-3) took the opener 12-0 in five innings, then scored in every inning but had to go the distance before topping the Hounds 8-1 in the nightcap.

ENMU plated its only run of the day for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first in Game 2 and had the bases loaded with one out, only to be turned away by a forceout at home and a grounder to second.

Then in the seventh, the Hounds loaded the sacks with no one out only to be denied on a flyout to right, another fielder’s choice at the plate and a grounder to second.

Oklahoma Christian’s Brooklin Bain hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run in the sixth inning to cap the scoring in the nightcap. Catcher Karrah Dean also homered, while left fielder Kylie Janzen went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs for the Eagles.

Starter Bailey Turner (6-3) and two relievers combined to hold the Hounds to five singles.

In Game 1, Bain led off a five-run bottom of the first with a home run. Designated hitter Brianna Robinson drove in six runs with a pair of homers, including a first-inning grand slam.

Meantime, Oklahoma Christian ace Kali Crandall (16-1) allowed two singles and struck out eight over four innings.

ENMU returns to action with an 11 a.m. (MDT) doubleheader today against Cameron at Lawton, Oklahoma.