Chaps Sweep 'Cats

CLAREMORE, Okla. (March 18, 2010) – Lubbock Christian University returned to their winning ways Thursday afternoon at Hillcat Complex with a pair of Sooner Athletic Conference wins in a doubleheader sweep over Rogers State University.  The No.1 Chaparrals won the opener 9-7 and the second game 3-1.

LCU trailed 7-3 after the fifth inning of game one, which was scheduled for seven innings.  They rallied back with six unanswered runs to win the opener 9-7.  They benefitted from a four-run sixth inning to tie the game at 7-7.  A trio of singles, including one by Joe Staley, who went 3-for-3 in the game with a pair of runs-batted-in, and a double by JJ Muse allowed the Chaps to score their four runs in the inning.  In the top of the seventh inning, LCU used a lead-off triple from Richard Bohlken and a two-out double from Ross Blondin to complete the offensive side of the rally.  Pitcher Hunter Scott pitched the final 1 2/3 innings and escaped the seventh inning by forcing the Hillcats to leave the tying run at first base.

Scott improved to 5-2 on the season with the win.  Frank Corolla started for LCU and did not receive a decision after allowing seven runs (five earned) off seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.  Corolla struck out five Hillcat batters.  Muse and Staley each had three hits in the game and Dan Neumann joined Staley with a pair of runs-batted-in.  Staley had the only home run of the game.  Brandt Barnes went 2-for-4 with three runs-batted-in in the loss. 

LCU never trailed in the second game, scoring a run in the second, third and fifth innings en route to a 3-1 win.  They received a solid pitching outing from Paul Gonzalez, who held RSU to a run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.  Gonzalez (3-1) struck out six batters and did not allow an extra-base hit in the game.  Hunter Scott collected his third save of the season pitching flawless over one and a 1/3 innings.

The Chaps used small-ball to open the scoring with Ross Blondin leading off the second inning with a bunt to get aboard via an infield single.  He would later score on a single by Muse.  David Cruz scored in the third inning on a single to centerfield by Staley to extend the lead to 2-0.  Their final run came in the fifth inning with Marc Gomez and David Cruz producing the game’s only extra-base hits with back-to-back lead-off doubles.

LCU completes the series with Rogers State at 1 p.m. Friday from Hillcat Complex.  Live scoring is available for the game at www.lcuchaps.com.