Rogers ! Rogers ! ... Chaps Sweep

CLAREMORE, Okla. (March 19, 2010) – Tyler Rogers held Rogers State University to a hit in five innings of work and the No.1 Chaparrals of Lubbock Christian University completed a Sooner Athletic Conference series sweep over the Hillcats with a 4-2 victory Friday afternoon at Hillcat Complex.

The Chaps took advantage of a pair of Hillcat errors in the top of the third inning.  David Cruz reached on a lead-off error by third baseman Colton West and consecutive bunts from Brett Kazmierski (single) and Austin Stewart (sacrifice) led to a pair of runners in scoring position with one out.  Richard Bohlken hit a single to score Cruz, and Kazmierski advanced home on an error to give LCU a 2-0 lead.

Rogers State answered back with a run in the bottom half of the third inning without a hit produced. Rob Rodriguez reached on a walk, advanced on a stolen base and eventually scored on an error to cut the Chaps lead to 2-1. 

Unconventional scoring continued in the top of the fifth inning, as LCU added to the lead with Stewart scoring on a wild pitch.  Stewart played a part in a run in the sixth inning as well, as Doug Kroll scored from third base on a ground out hit by Stewart to give LCU a 4-2 advantage.

Tristan Gaines replaced Rogers on the mound in the sixth inning and a trio of singles to lead off the inning led to RSU cutting the deficit to 4-2. The Hillcats were able to move the tying run into scoring position with one out, but a ground out to third base and a strikeout allowed the Chaps to escape out of the inning with a two-run lead.  The Hillcats left four runners stranded the rest of the way and Hunter Scott preserved the win with his fourth save of the season by not allowing a hit over the final one and 1/3 innings.

Rogers improved to 5-0 with the win and had five strikeout in five innings pitched.  He did not allow an earned run in his performance.  Jacob Wenaas suffered the loss for RSU and fell to 1-1 on the season.  He allowed one earned run off seven hits and struck out six batters in seven innings pitched.  Bohlken produced the only multi-hit performance for LCU, going 2-for-5 from the plate with an RBI.  Jairo Valdez was 2-for-4 in the loss for RSU.

LCU completed the sweep and improved to 21-9 overall and 9-3 in the SAC.  The Chaps are 6-0 in conference play on the road this season.  They return home to Hays Field to host St. Gregory’s University for a SAC series Friday with a 3p.m. first pitch.