Chaps Sweep Rangers

ALVA, Okla. (March 6, 2010) – No. 1 Lubbock Christian University completed a three-game sweep over Northwestern Oklahoma State University in their first Sooner Athletic Conference road series of the season Saturday afternoon with a 12-1 victory.  The win places LCU with a 16-6 overall record and a 5-1 mark in conference play.

Chaparrals starting pitcher Frank Corolla improved to 3-1 on the season, pitching his second complete game of the season.  He held the Rangers to just three hits in the game, which was shortened to seven innings due to the run rule.  Corolla fooled with a no-hitter for the first 4 1/3 innings, until Vincent Valdez hit a double for the Rangers.  NWOSU took advantage of the hit for extra bases with Lester Gonzalez following with a single on the ensuing at-bat to score the Rangers lone run.  Corolla registered six strikeouts in the win.

The Chaps wasted no time getting their offense going.  With one out in the top of the first inning, Joe Staley followed a double from Marc Gomez with a home run for a quick 2-0 lead.  Staley’s home run was one of two for him in the game, as LCU produced five homers in the game.  Gomez and Staley produced back-to-back shots in the fifth inning, and a four-run seventh inning was highlighted by home runs from Reid Chenworth and Richard Bohlken.

Lubbock Christian out-hit NWOSU 11-3 in the game.  Jeremy Lawson, making his second start of the season, suffered the loss for the Rangers and falls to 2-1 on the year.  NWOSU is 11-6 overall with the loss and they are 2-4 in conference play.

LCU will quickly return to action Tuesday with a doubleheader against NCAA Div. II Angelo State University at Hays Field beginning with a 3 p.m. first pitch.