The New Groundhog Day

FORT WORTH, Texas (February 5, 2012) - Groundhog Day may have been Thursday, but Lubbock Christian University may believe it has been moved to Super Bowl Sunday. The last time the Chaparrals played at Texas Wesleyan University was in 2010 on Super Bowl Sunday with TWU claiming a walk-off victory. Sunday, the Rams received a bases loaded fielder's choice sacrifice bunt from Alex Padilla in the bottom of the ninth to score Jake Howell and the Rams claimed a 3-2 walk-off win over the No.4 Chaparrals at LaGrave Field.

The Chaparrals had just rallied in the top half of the ninth inning to tie the game at 2-2. With one out in the top of the ninth inning, Richard Bohlken had reached on a walk and Jason Fisch followed with a double to the left centerfield gap. Centerfielder Taylor Jockers bobbled the ball and it allowed Bohlken to score all the way from first base. Nolan Barbee had blown the save, but he would eventually claim the win on the mound. In the bottom half of the inning, Howeth reached on a lead-off walk issued by Chaps reliever Ethan Murphy. Jockers was issued an intentional pass after Howeth stole second, and former Chap Christian Soberanes bunted an infield single to load the bases with no outs. Pinch hitter Stephen Niedwiecki struck out for the first out and Padilla followed with a bunt to the left side. Chaps third baseman Brennyn Smith fielded the ball and went home for the force out, but Howeth beat the throw for the win.

TWU opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Fisch was charged with three passed balls and one came in the first inning to allow Jockers to score from third base. The score remained 1-0 until Fisch hit a lead-off home run over the right centerfield fence to tie the game 1-1 and give Fisch his second home run of the season. TWU regained the lead back in the bottom of the seventh inning with a bases loaded walk to Padilla issued by Chaps starting pitcher Drew Olson.

The pass issued by Olson was one of a few mistakes he made in a strong season debut. While many scouts were on hand to watch University of Oklahoma transfer Derek Vaughn make his debut for TWU, it was Olson who made quite an impression. Olson went seven innings and allowed two runs off six hits, while striking out nine batters. Vaughn went six innings in his Rams debut and allowed one run off four hits and struck out seven batters.

On Feb. 7, 2010, the Rams claimed a 1-0 win in the bottom of the 10^th inning. The Chaps have lost three of their last four games played at LaGrave Field. The loss places LCU with a 1-3 start to the season. The loss also marks the second straight game in which the Chaps lost in walk-off fashion.  They will seek to end a three-game skid Friday at 1 p.m., as they host York College (Neb.) in their home debut at Hays Field.