LUBBOCK, Texas (February 17, 2015) - Wayland Baptist University pitcher Tyler Adams held Lubbock Christian University to one unearned run over 7.2 innings and helped the Pioneers defeat the Chaparrals 7-4 Tuesday evening at a brisk Hays Field in the 100th all-time meeting of the two rivals. The loss extends LCU's losing streak to five games, which is their longest losing streak since the start of the 2012 season.
It appeared LCU was going to shake off the offensive cobwebs in the first inning, as they took advantage of an error with a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead, but LCU's bats would go back into hibernation. Adams allowed a hit to
Wade Stramp in the second inning and then retired 12 consecutive LCU batters.
Gerardo Arzaga, who was 2-for-4 for LCU, ended the sequence with a two-out single in the sixth inning.
By then, LCU trailed 6-1. WBU led off the second inning with a pair of hits leading to their first run and then took advantage of three LCU errors in the second inning to extend the lead to 3-1. Singles by Will Bass and Josh Alexander made it 5-1 in the fourth inning before another single by Bass and a pair of hit batters led to another run in the sixth inning.
LCU attempted a rally in the ninth inning trailing 7-1. Facing Pioneer closer Michael Cowan,
Ethan Kohnle led off the ninth inning with a single. After a strikeout,
Josh Powe,
Brett Wilhelm and
Wade Stramp all singled to cut the deficit to 7-3.
Shane Crawford produced the second out on a sacrifice fly to make it 7-4 and
Hunter McFall followed with a single to bring up
Stephen Withrow as the tying run. Cowan struck out Withrow to end the rally.
The teams combined for 22 runners stranded, with WBU stranding 13 runners. WBU was led at the plate by Josh Alexander, who went 3-for-5. Gabby De La Cruz had two runs-batted-in despite going 0-for-5 at the plate. LCU had 10 hits in the game and all were singles.
Wade Stramp went 2-for-4 with two runs-batted-in. McFall and Arzaga also finished 2-for-2.
Adams improved to 2-0 going 7.2 innings and allowing one unearned run off five hits. He forced LCU into 12 groundouts.
Dalton Silva suffered the loss (0-1) as he started and went three innings. He allowed three runs (one earned) off three hits and struck out four batters.
The meeting was the 100th all-time meeting between the two former conference rivals. LCU has won 77 of the 100 meetings. Tuesday's loss places LCU 5-5 on the season and moves WBU to 6-6 on the year. The Pioneers ended a three-game losing skid with the win. LCU will now focus on ending their current streak Friday at 6 p.m. in Midland, Texas, as they will host Eastern New Mexico at Midland Rockhounds' Security Bank Ballpark.
