Offensive Woes Continue for Chaps

FORT WORTH (February 7, 2010) – For the first time since the 2004 season, Lubbock Christian University has been held for four or less runs for four consecutive games, as the No.1 Chaparrals split a doubleheader with Texas Wesleyan University, winning the opener 2-1 before falling 1-0 in a ten inning contest.

Marc Gomez, who committed a pair of errors leading to runs Saturday against Northwood University, redeemed himself in the opener with a two-run single in the top of the sixth inning to help the Chaps garner a come-from-behind 2-1 victory.  Gomez’s hit came with two outs and it scored Doug Kroll and Christian Soberanes, who went head first into home plate for the eventual winning run.  The Chaps had just five hits in the game, but Gomez’s hit was the difference the Chaps needed to give Frank Corolla the win on the mound.  Corolla pitched the complete seven innings and allowed one run off four hits and posted 10 strikeouts.  In the bottom of the third inning, Morgan Marr produced an RBI with a single to score Leighton Rush, who was aboard due to a two-out triple, for the Rams lone run. Joey Evans suffered the hard fought loss for the Rams, allowing two runs off five hits in seven innings pitched. 

The second game was a pitcher’s dual as well.  Lance Parker and Drew Cavender combined to allow just two hits from the Chaps to lead the Rams to the upset win.  LCU starting pitcher Paul Gonzalez tried his best to hold the Chaps in the game.  He went seven innings and did not allow a run off five hits and struck out 12 batters.  Tristan Gaines came into relieve Gonzalez and gave up a pair of hits and struck out four batters in 2 and 2/3 innings.  The game winning walk-off run came via an error in the bottom of the tenth with two outs.  Marr singled to left field with a ball knocked down by the wind in front of Kroll.  Rush, who was aboard first base after being hit by a pitch, was advancing to third base, but an errant throw by Kroll led to Rush advancing all the way home to end the game.

The 1-0 loss marks the third consecutive season the Chaps have suffered a shutout at Texas Wesleyan.  The Chaps fall to 2-2 with the loss and TWU improves to 2-3.  LCU returns to action Tuesday with a doubleheader at Angelo State University in San Angelo at 3p.m. from Foster Field.  Tuesday’s games will air on www.lcuchaps.com with Chris Due handling the call.