WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- No. 9-ranked Lubbock Christian added to Midwestern State's hitting woes in a 9-0 run-rule win in five innings Tuesday night at Mustangs Park.

LCU's Taylor Franco (4-3) limited the Mustangs to an infield single in the second inning on the way to her second shutout of the season. The senior, who has limited opponents to three-or-fewer hits in five of her seven starts, recorded seven strikeouts.

Midwestern State was shut out for the third time in the last four games while being limited to two-or-fewer hits.

The Mustangs mounted two threats, but eventually stranded runners on third base in the second and third innings.

Junior Hanna Hetherington accounted for MSU's lone hit when her bounder to the right side of the infield was either deflected into a baserunner when LCU first baseman Victoria Owens lunged to her right to make a play on the ball or hit the baserunner.

The umpires ruled MSU pinch runner Mikey Dominguez, who came on after Franco hit leadoff hitter Sydney Shimkus, safe at second. Ally Monroe moved the runner to second and third with a ground out to short, but Franco struck out Paige Bryant to end the threat.

MSU junior Grace Martinez drew a lead off walk in the third inning, moved to second on a ground, then stole third with one out. Once again, Franco was up to the task as she sat down the next two batters to strand the runner.

Lubbock Christian scored a run in the second, added three in the third, then broke open the game with five runs in the fifth highlighted by Tiarra Delrosario's two-run single to left field.

Taylor McKenzie (0-4) took the loss for the Mustangs allowing four earned runs on six hits in four innings. Freshman Jasmine Trevino came on to pitch the fifth, yielding one earned run on three hits.

Midwestern State and Lubbock Christian close the series with a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Mustangs Park. First pitches are set for noon and 2 p.m.
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