LUBBOCK, Texas (March 3, 2015) – Lubbock Christian University twice came close to rallying from six-run deficits, but a 11-5 deficit was too much to overcome and a three-run ninth inning was a run short in an 11-10 loss to Wayland Baptist University Tuesday night at Hays Field.

Trailing 11-5 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, LCU scored three runs off three hits in the inning off WBU closer Michael Cowan. Jose Favala and Brett Wilhelm each had doubles in the inning for LCU and they trailed 11-8 going to the ninth inning. Dalton Silva came in and retired the Pioneers in order to quickly head to the bottom half of the ninth inning. WBU moved outfielder Josh Alexander to the mound to close the door on the Chaps. He entered the game with a 0.00 ERA in two prior appearances without a walk issued. He walked Gerardo Arzaga and Favala to lead off the inning before hitting Josh Powe to load the bases. The Pioneers caught a huge break when Stephen Withrow hit a liner snagged by second baseman Will Bass resulting in a double-play. Down to their final out, LCU scored two runs with Shane Crawford reaching on an error, Wade Stramp walking and Wilhelm hitting an infield single on a high chopper for the inning's only hit. Hunter McFall came to the plate with the bases loaded and faced a full count, but Alexander claimed the save getting out of the jam with a strikeout to end the game.

LCU had trailed early when WBU scored the first six runs of the game. An first inning error by LCU led to three unearned runs and a four-run first inning, and Gabby De La Cruz had a pair of runs-batted-in for a two-run second inning. LCU came back with a solo home run by Brendan McCarthy in the second inning (third home run of the season) and tacked on three more runs in the third inning with a three-run blast by McFall to cut the deficit to 6-4. Each team tacked on a run in the fourth inning before LCU missed an opportunity to take the lead in the fifth inning. LCU had the bases loaded trailing 7-5 in the inning with one out, but relief pitcher Taylor Bridges came in and struck out consecutive batters to get out of the jam unscathed.  Bridges quieted the Chaps offense, facing five batters and striking out all five faced. LCU went into a span of 10 consecutive batters without a hit produced. Favela ended the sequence with a lead-off double in the eighth inning when LCU trailed 11-5. WBU had built the lead back with two runs in the seventh and eighth innings with three of their five doubles hit in the game coming during that span.

WBU went through six pitchers and Bridges claimed the win (1-2). The loss went to Mary Jentsch (0-1), who started and went two innings allowing six runs (three earned) off seven hits. Jay Rawlins pitched a majority of the game for LCU, going 4.2 innings and allowing three runs off seven hits in 4.2 innings. Alexander (4-for-4) and De La Cruz (2-for-5) each supplied the Pioneers three RBI to make up a majority of their offense. The 2-5 batters in the order for WBU combined for 11 of their 16 hits (11-for-18 at the plate). LCU's order was fairly top heavy as well, as the top four in the order combined for eight of LCU's 10 hits. McFall was 3-for-6 at the plate with four RBI. Wilhelm and McCarthy each went 2-for-5 in the loss.

LCU falls under .500 with a 7-8 record on the season and they have lost three straight games. WBU improves to 10-8 and they have defeated LCU twice at Hays Field this season. LCU was originally scheduled to play in Abilene, Texas tonight against Texas Wesleyan, but the game was cancelled due to poor playing conditions. LCU returns to conference play Friday, hosting Newman University for a doubleheader at 4 p.m. at Hays Field.