LUBBOCK, Texas (April 26, 2015) – A five-run fifth inning fueled controversy and allowed Oklahoma Christian University to complete a Heartland Conference series win with a 10-8 victory over Lubbock Christian University Sunday afternoon in a rubber match at Hays Field.

The controversy came as OC's Caden Cleveland took out Chaps second baseman Hunter McFall on a relay to first base in attempt to complete a double play with one out and a runner at third base. Field umpire Lolie Zamora ruled interference therefore bringing a close to what was initially a four-run fifth inning for the Eagles, since the interference negated the fifth run from scoring. The Chaps cleared the field and due-up hitter McFall was ready for his at-bat, but OC head coach Lonny Coble convinced the two-man umpiring crew to talk about the initial call. After a four-minute deliberation, the umpires reversed the call and the fifth run of the inning was counted. Three singles and a double by Derek Jones started the five run inning and it provided OC with an 8-3 lead.

The game started off with LCU scoring first. Brett Wilhelm hit a three-run bases loaded two-out double off the left field wall to provide the Chaps a 3-0 lead before OC scored nine straight runs. OC was able to get their lead-off batter aboard in four straight innings, starting with the second inning, and they produced at least a run in three of those innings. Ben McKenzie led off the second inning with a double, leading to a two-run second inning, and a runners-at-the-corners game of pickle to pick off the runner at first base allowed the runner from third base scoring to tie the game at 3-3 after three complete innings. Following the fifth inning fiasco, OC received a solo home run from Kyle Lacy in the sixth inning for his team-leading seventh home run of the season and his second of the series. OC led 9-3 after the top half of the sixth inning. LCU tried to rally back. Lacy moved from DH to the mound and walked six batters over 1.2 innings of relief. Three of the walks came in the sixth inning and LCU capitalized with a two-run double by McFall on a chopper down the right field line. The Chaps cut the deficit to 9-6 in the sixth inning. Chase Kuwitzky added to the OC lead in the seventh inning with a two-out single to place the lead at 10-6. Lacy walked three more batters in the seventh inning, but Nikko Velarde hit into a double play to end any threat in the inning. Velarde would eventually hit into another double play in the eighth inning with the bases loaded to negate another scoring chance for the Chaps. Jose Favela and Brett Wilhelm each had RBI singles to load the bases prior to the double play and it cut the OC lead to 10-8.  The Chaps opened the ninth inning with a single from Stephen Withrow, but Wade Stramp lined into a double play on a snag by third baseman Kuwitzk. Chaps hit into a double play in each of the final three innings.

The Chaps, who had five of their first eight hits in the game produced with two-outs, stranded 12 baserunners in the game. Withrow led LCU with a 3-for-5 performance from the plate with four runs-batted-in. McFall also went 3-for-5. McKenzie (3-for-5) and Kuwitzky (3-for-4) each led OC with three hits, with McKenzie leading the team with two runs-batted-in.

Hunter Raley pitched five innings for OC and took the win (5-4) with five strikeouts. He allowed three runs off eight hits. Kolton Brown went 2.1 innings of relief to get the save. Levi Westerlund (2-6) took the loss allowing six runs off 10 hits in four innings. He was one of four senior pitchers that pitched for LCU. Seniors Elfego Torres, Ryan Taylor and Dalton Silva each pitched an inning of relief and combined to allow one run off two hits. Taylor struck out the side.

Nine seniors were recognized prior to the game as part of "Senior Day." Ethan Kohnle, Brig Gerlich, Stramp, Powe, Withrow, Torres, Taylor, Silva and Westerlund each suited up for a last time at Hays Field, as LCU finishes the season with an 11-11 home record.

OC improved to 27-17 overall and 13-11 in conference, as they have won the conference series in Lubbock two of their last three series meetings in the Hub City. LCU fell to 22-23 overall and 9-12 in conference.  They have three games left on the season and they will be played beginning Friday with a 1:30 p.m. doubleheader at Texas-Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas for a Heartland Conference series.