GOODWELL, Okla. (April 2, 2015) – Lubbock Christian University used a five-run seventh inning to rally to a 7-5 win in the opener and rode the momentum into the second game with a 9-1 win to complete a doubleheader sweep over Oklahoma Panhandle State University to open a Heartland Conference series Thursday afternoon at Aggie Baseball Field.

The opening game was a bit bizarre and LCU added to the wackiness in the seventh inning trailing 5-2. OPSU starting pitcher Walker Rainwater had held LCU to two runs off five hits in six innings of play. They replaced Rainwater in the seventh with closer B.J. Henry, looking for his third save of the season, but that is when LCU started their comeback. Jesse Pintado and Hunter McFall each singled with one out and Jose Favela hit a ball on the right side that was questionable if the ball hit McFall (running to second base), McFall collided with second baseman Lucas Ogaz or if Ogaz flat out booted the ball, as the umpire let the play continue as an error on Ogaz and LCU had the bases loaded to the displeasure of OPSU head coach Jason Miner. A wild pitch led to the first run and Ethan Kohnle walked to reload the bases. Nikko Velarde was hit by pitch to cut the deficit to 5-4 and Henry was replaced with Brett Nasello. Before delivering his first pitch, he balked and it tied the game 5-5 and led to the ejection of an irate Miner. Gerardo Arzaga continued the at-bat with a single to score a pair of runs to make the score 7-5.

The Chaps initially led 2-0 in the game after a single by Wade Stramp and a pair of Aggie errors led to two unearned runs scoring for LCU in the second inning. A sacrifice fly by Jordan Sprouse cut the Chaps lead in half (2-1) in the bottom of the inning. The Aggies took the lead in the fifth inning with a three-run inning. Three infield bunt singles and a pair of errors led to the first two runs scoring but the third run resulted on Chaps head coach Nathan Blackwood getting tossed. Pitcher Brig Gerlich was ruled bobbling the ball covering the bag on a ground ball to first base with two outs, resulting in the run scoring for a 4-2 lead. The argument was if the bobble was part of the transfer to toss the ball aside as the team was heading to the dugout to transition to the next inning. Umpire Cole Allenbrand had the displeasure of tossing both head coaches in the game. OPSU had added a run in the sixth inning off a Jason Cox single to increase the Aggie lead to 5-2 before the eventful seventh inning.

Stramp (2-for-5) and McFall (2-for-4) each had two hits to lead LCU and Arzaga drove in a pair of runs. Ogaz led OPSU in the loss going 3-for-4. Brig Gerlich pitched his fourth complete game of the season for LCU, as he went seven innings and allowed five runs (four earned) off eight hits in seven innings. He struck out five batters and improved to 5-4 with the win. The loss went to Henry (0-3), who allowed five runs (four earned) off two hits in a third of an inning.

Like the opener, LCU jumped out first in the scoring and scored a pair of runs in the second inning. Josh Powe hit a two out double to centerfield to score Jose Favela and later scored on a double-steal from third base with Brett Wilhelm at first base. A lead-off walk in the top of the fifth inning and a pair of walks set up a three-run fifth inning, with McFall claiming an RBI and Favela producing a single resulting in a RBI and an error for a second run scoring on the play. LCU extended the 5-0 lead in the sixth inning with four more runs. Stephen Withrow and McFall each had a double in the inning, with Withrow's resulting in a pair of runs scoring. Jesse Pintado also drove in a run in the inning. Guillaume Blanchette did not allow a run through six innings, but could not hold the shutout, as a double produced by Ogaz in the seventh inning put the Aggies on the scoreboard for their only run.

Blanchette claimed the win (4-3), allowing one run off seven hits. He struck out a season high six batters and only had three balls in a count against three batters (walked one). The southpaw faced four batters over the minimum. Mathew Lusk and Elfego Torres pitched a scoreless inning each in relief. Sam Beattie suffered the loss (0-6) and allowed seven runs (five earned) off six hits in 5.1 innings (six strikeouts).

Payton Osbon and Ogaz each went 2-for-4 in the loss for OPSU. Withrow (2-for-3), Favela (2-for-4) and McFall (2-for-5) each had two hits and two RBI for LCU, who also received a 2-for-4 plate performance from Pintado.

LCU ended their program record six-game conference losing streak with the two wins and they have now won their last seven games away from Hays Field. The wins were their first conference road wins of the season and they improve to 5-7 in conference play (18-16 overall). OPSU fell to 2-12 in conference and 3-30 overall, as their losing streak was extended to 14 games.

The two teams complete the three-game series Friday with a nine inning contest. The game was originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. start but has been changed to a noon start at Aggie Baseball Field.