SAN ANGELO, Texas (February 14, 2015) – Angelo State University produced a three-run eighth inning to rally late and defeat Lubbock Christian University 4-1 Saturday afternoon at Foster Field.
Lubbock Christian was held to one run for a second consecutive game and again off a solo home run. This time it was
Nikko Velarde producing the solo shot. The junior's home run over the left field wall came in the seventh inning and it provided the Chaparrals a 1-0 lead.
The Chaps were unable to hold the lead in the bottom half of the seventh inning. Brett David tied the game with a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded before LCU got out of the jam leaving the bases full of Rams. LCU would not be so lucky in the bottom of the eighth inning. A pair of lead off walks and a pair of singles spelled disaster for the Chaps in the inning and the Rams plated a trio of runs. They had the bases loaded with one out before a strikeout and groundout ended the threat with the bases left loaded for a second consecutive inning.
Blake Bass shut down LCU Friday and Saturday's starting pitcher, Steve Naemark, continued the series trend. Naemark went seven innings and allowed one run off two hits. He struck out 12 and walked one batter. The lefty had a no-hit bid through five innings before allowing a lead-off single to
Brett Wilhelm in the sixth inning. Naemark left the game with the score tied 1-1 and did not receive a decision. The win went to Dillon Becker, who did not allow a run in the final two innings (1-0).
LCU was held to three hits in the game. They were 0-for-8 at the plate as a team with runners on base. Chaps starting pitcher
Guillaume Blanchette suffered the hard-luck loss (1-1). He went seven innings and allowed three runs off five hits. Through the first six innings, Blanchette had a three-hit shutout going.
Angelo's J.C. Snyder (2-for-3) and Derek Tyner (2-for-4) had the game's only multi-hit performances. David led all players with two runs-batted-in.
The Chaps have dropped three consecutive games, matching their longest losing streak of last season. They are 5-3 and now 0-2 on the road. Angelo State improves to 6-1 with the win and they have won five consecutive games.
ASU clinches a three-game series for the first time ever against LCU. The Chaparrals will try to avoid the sweep Sunday, as the series closes with a 1 p.m. first pitch at Foster Field.
