LUBBOCK, Texas (April 17, 2015) – Rogers State University did not look like a program without at least 10 runs scored in a game since Feb. 20 and without consecutive wins since Feb. 21, as they took out their offensive frustration on Lubbock Christian University by sweeping the Chaparrals in a doubleheader 10-6 and 11-2 Friday evening in Heartland Conference play at Hays Field.

Averaging 2.8 runs a game over the prior 25 games, Rogers State had no problem surpassing that mark in the first three innings of each game Friday en route to their sixth and seventh games of the season with at least 10 runs scored (in comparison, LCU has 14 games in which they have scored at least 10 runs).

In the opener, RSU jumped out to a 5-0 lead with a two-run second inning and a three run third inning. Six of RSU's nine runs came with two-outs, beginning with a two-out single by Chase Knott in the second inning. The three runs not scored with two outs came in the three-run third inning with two coming on a Garrett Hall single. LCU tried to rally back with a three-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run triple for Jose Favela for his first triple of the season. RSU responded form LCU's three-run fourth inning with a five-run fifth inning for a 10-3 lead. Knott had a ground rule double and Caleb Kohlmeyer and Andrew Vanisi each drove in a pair of runs during the inning for RSU. The deficit was too much to overcome for LCU, who tallied a pair of runs in the sixth inning (RBI hits from Nikko Velarde and Stephen Withrow) and a sacrifice fly to score Hunter McFall (reached on a triple) by Favela in the seventh inning.

Mason Marquette went the complete game for RSU, improving his record to 5-5 allowing six runs off six hits in seven innings. Brig Gerlich only lasted three innings in his start for LCU, as he surrendered five runs off seven hits. He fell to 5-6.

Blake Gipson led RSU going 3-for-3 at the plate and four players had a pair of runs-batted-in. McFall went 2-for-4 and Favela finished with three RBI in the loss.

The second game was not much different, as RSU's hitting continued. The Hillcats first four batters in the second inning had a hit, including a triple by Zack Ashford, as RSU scored four runs in the inning for a 4-0 lead. Doubles by Vanisi and Gispon in the third inning extended the lead to 5-0 before they ended Guillaume Blanchette's start in the fourth inning with a three-run fourth inning. Jordan Goode led off with a triple in the fourth inning, as the first six RSU batters reached base in the inning. Blachette (4-5) allowed eight runs (seven earned) off 10 hits over 3.1 innings.

Michael Fusselman was solid in his start before running out of gas for the Hillcats. He held LCU to two hits and without a run through six innings before losing the shutout in the seventh inning. Gerardo Arzaga hit his team co-leading fourth home run of the season with a two-run shot over the right field fence in the seventh inning. That was as close as LCU would get and RSU matched the runs in the eighth inning, leading off with a solo home run by Vanisi for his sixth long ball of the season.

LCU was held to six hits in the game. Meanwhile, Vanisi went 4-for-6 with three doubles and Trae Bobo (3-for-5) and Alex Cochran (3-for-4) each had three hits for RSU. Ashford and Cochran each drove in three runs. Fusselman finished the game allowing two runs off five hits in seven innings, while improving to 3-5.

Vanisi went 5-for-10 on the day (all extra-base hits) with four doubles and a home run. Gipson was 5-for-6 (.833) on the day with two doubles and here RBI. RSU produced 20 hits in the second game and 33 for the day. Sixteen of the 30 hits came with runners in scoring position (.533). RSU batted .481 (13/27) with two outs, leading to nine two-out RBI, while LCU was 3-for-21 (.143) when batting with two outs. While RSU had eight different players with at least three hits on the afternoon, LCU did not have one player with more than two hits.

The Chaps have now lost five consecutive conference home games and have their record in conference drop to 7-10. Overall, LCU has lost three straight games and they are 20-21 overall. With seven scheduled games remaining, the best LCU can do is finish with 27 wins, which would be a program single-season low and mark only the second season in program history in which they won less than 30 games.

RSU improved to 14-23 overall and 5-15 in conference play. The doubleheader sweep is their first in a conference series this season and gives them their first Heartland Conference series won. It marks the sixth time (out of nine) in the all-time history of the series between the two teams in which the road team has claimed the regular season series. The two teams close out the series Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hays Field.