ODESSA, Texas (May 1, 2015) –
Brig Gerlich struck out nine batters in a complete game performances and Lubbock Christian University received a three-run home run by
Gerardo Arzaga in a 5-2 victory, but the Chaparrals dropped the second game of a Heartland Conference doubleheader 3-1 for a split with University of Texas of the Permian Basin Friday at Roden Field.
Arzaga produced his team-leading fifth home run with a three-run shot over the right field fence in the second inning to give LCU a 3-0 lead. Daniel Andrade attempted to rally the Falcons back, leading off the fifth inning with a triple and producing an RBI-double in the sixth inning to cut LCU's lead to 3-2. The Chaps responded in the top of the seventh inning with a trio of doubles.
Stephen Withrow,
Jesse Pintado and
Hunter McFall each doubled and it led to a 5-2 LCU lead.
Gerlich, a senior making his final start of his college career, went the distance to garner the win and improve to 6-7. He allowed two runs off six hits in seven innings. Gerlich produced a career-high nine strikeouts.
Brett Wilhelm went 3-for-3 in the win for the Chaps. LCU was able to get the lead–off batter aboard five out of seven times in the game. The loss went to Lance Fairchild (5-3), who allowed three runs off seven hits in 5.1 innings.
LCU only had hits in two separate innings of the second game.
Wade Stramp led off the fourth inning with a double and scored on a single by McFall for a 1-0 lead. LCU would go a span of 12 straight batters without a hit. The dry spell would end with Arzaga leading off the eighth inning with a double. LCU trailed 3-1 at the time of Arzaga's double and they were unable to score him in the inning. A two-out infield single combined with a throwing error in the bottom of the fourth inning allowed UTPB to take a 2-1 lead. Jose Sierra had the RBI and he added another with a squeeze bunt in the sixth inning.
UTPB's Brad Paramapoonya went six innings and held LCU to one run on three hits to claim the win (8-2). LCU had
Guillaume Blanchette on the hill and he suffered the loss (5-6) allowing three runs (one earned) off six hits in seven innings (he struck out six batters). The Chaps were held to four hits and Willhelm went 0-for-4 to end his consecutive game streak of reaching base safely at 26 games.
The win by the Falcons marked only the second ever win by UTPB over the Chaps (2-20). UTPB had their overall record on the season move to 29-13 and they are 18-8 in the conference. LCU moved to 23-24 overall and 10-13 in the conference.
If LCU wants to avoid a losing record, they face a must-win game Saturday in their season finale. The two teams close out their conference series Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch in Odessa.
