LUBBOCK, Texas (January 7, 2015) – Lubbock Christian University and New Mexico Highlands University combined for 49 runs and 56 hits Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader at Hays Field. When the dust settled, there was a split of games, as LCU collected a walk-off 12-11 win in the opener before falling 18-8 in the second game for their first loss of the season.

Everything seemed to be going in favor of the Cowboys in the first game. Their offense got to Chaps pitcher Guillaume Blanchette early, as the starting pitcher lasted only 2.1 innings. Joe Cervantes' grand slam and Omar Garcia's three-run home run had New Mexico Highlands leading 10-2 heading to the bot-tom of the fourth inning.

LCU stormed back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. They would score seven of the game's next eight runs, but it looked bleak after they trailed 11-10 in the sixth inning (of a seven-inning scheduled game) and they left the bases loaded. The Chaps did not waste the opportunity in the seventh inning. Brett Wilhelm led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double and would score on Shane Crawford's double to left centerfield. A dropped fly ball allowed Crawford to advance to third base and we would score the winning run on a Brendan McCarthy single through the left side of the infield.

Nikko Velarde was 4-for-4 with three runs-batted-in and he produced two doubles to lead LCU's offense. Crawford finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored (including the game-winner). Glen Warrick came in relief and pitched three innings to claim his second win (2-0) of the season. Zach Settles (0-1) suffered the loss.

It appeared the second game was going to have the same tone. NMHU took advantage of two LCU er-rors and also produced six hits for an eight-run fifth inning for a 12-2 lead. LCU rallied with seven hits in the bottom half of the inning and it resulted in six runs coming across to cut the deficit to 12-8. Velarde produced his first home run of his young LCU career and Wilhelm had a double, as they each drove in two runs during the inning. That would be the extent of LCU's comeback bid. The Cowboys responded with a three-run sixth inning and would score six unanswered runs before the run-rule would end the game in the eighth inning.

LCU had hits from nine different players in the 18-8 loss, but errors were their bugaboo. Of NMHU's 18 runs, only nine were earned, as LCU . LCU starting pitcher Levi Westerlund allowed 11 runs in 4.2 innings of work, but only four of the runs he allowed were earned. Westerlund was saddled with the loss and fell to 1-1 on the season. The win went to NMHU's starting pitcher Curtis Hynes. Anthony Badalucco received the save by closing the game with 3.2 scoreless innings pitched.

Velarde combined for a 5-for-7 plate appearance on the afternoon with six RBI. Crawford also had five hits (5-for-8) and produced three doubles.

The Chaps are 5-1 on the season following the series and NMHU opens the season 1-2. LCU faces their first road test Friday, as they travel to San Angelo, Texas to face Angelo State University Friday to begin a three-game series.