TUCSON, Ariz. (March 17, 2015) – Lubbock Christian University opened play in the Tucson Invitational Games with a trio of games in a span of 16 hours and LCU went 1-2 in those games. They opened with an 11-4 loss to No.20 St. Cloud State followed with a 10-8 loss to Augustana (S.D.) before rallying with a six-run eighth inning for an 8-4 win over Concordia-St. Paul at Kino Sports Complex.

LCU headed to the eighth inning trailing Concordia 4-2 to Concordia after being held to two hits through the first five innings and getting a pair of hits for a two-run sixth inning. In the eighth inning, LCU had their first six batters reach base, with Ethan Kohnle pinch hitting with the bases loaded and producing a three-run double, which gave LCU a 5-4 lead. Wade Stramp added to the lead with a two-out bases loaded two-run double and Jesse Pintado followed him with an RBI-single to complete a 3-for-5 performance.

Dalton Silva earned the win in relief (1-1), pitching the final 2.1 innings in relief (no runs off two hits). Both starting pitchers were solid, as Kody Knaus of Concordia went six innings and held LCU to two runs (one earned) off four hits. Guillaume Blanchette went for LCU and last six innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) off nine hits. Kohnle finished 1-for-1 with three RBI. Concordia was 6-for-9 getting the lead-off batters aboard base, but they were 0-for-9 on sacrifice bunt attempts. LCU is now 1-8 when trailing after seven innings.

The win ended a five-game losing streak, which was extended after the first two games in Tucson. In Monday's late doubleheader, they opened with St. Cloud State and fell behind early. SCSU used a four –run first inning and fifth inning to jump out to a 8-0 lead, completing all the damage against LCU starting pitcher Elfego Torres (LCU starting debut on the mound). The Huskies were 6-for-9 on getting the lead-off batter aboard. LCU was able to score a run in four later innings, but were unable to score more than one run in any of the innings. The Chaps were 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position, 0-for-8 with two outs (SCU had five two-out base hits) and 1-for-4 with the bases loaded. Stramp (2-for-4) and McFall (2-for-5) had multi-hit performances. SCSU received four RBI from Michael Jurgella (3-for-4) and received a 3-for-6 hitting performance from Brandon Arnold. SCSU starting pitcher Reese Gregory (3-0) allowed one run off five hits in five innings and also went 1-for-2 with two runs driven from the plate. The loss put LCU 0-4 against ranked competition this season.

In Monday's nightcap, LCU faced Sioux Falls, S.D. based Augustana College. Like their first game of the day, LCU fell behind 8-0. Alex Fink produced a three-run home run in a four-run second inning to help the Vikings jump out to the early lead. AC pitcher Tyler Field was solid holding LCU without a run and only three hits in six innings. Once he left, LCU stormed back. They took advantage of two Viking errors and produced four hits for a four-run seventh inning to cut the deficit to 8-4. Pintado produced two of the runs with a single following a bases loaded walk to Stramp. Augustana responded with two runs in the eighth inning and they proved to be the difference, as LCU scored four runs in the ninth inning. The first five batters reached base safely before a double play took the wind out of the LCU sails. Ryan Taylor allowed seven runs over the first two innings in his start for LCU and was saddled with the loss (0-1). Pintado was 3-for-4 in the loss. Fink finished 2-for-4 with three RBI for the Vikings.

LCU is 11-13 with the 1-2 record in Tucson. They remain in Tucson for three more games, beginning Thursday at 9 a.m. (11 a.m. Central) facing Mayville State.