LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (23-24, 10-13) at TEXAS – PERMIAN BASIN (29-13, 18-8)Saturday, May 2, 2015 – 1 p.m.
Roden Field (Odessa, Texas)
Radio: Online Only
All-Time Series: LCU leads 20-2
Lubbock Christian University puts a close to their 2015 season Saturday at 1 p.m., closing out a three-game Heartland Conference series at University of Texas of the Permian Basin with a rubber match of the series.
The two teams split Friday's doubleheader at Roden Field. LCU used a career high nine strikeouts from pitcher
Brig Gerlich and a three-run home run from
Gerardo Arzaga to win the opening game 5-2 before UTPB held the Chaps to four hits for a 3-1 Falcons win.
Hunter McFall and
Brett Wilhelm each went 3-for-7 for LCU on the afternoon, while Arzaga was 2-for-4 with a double, home run and three RBI. UTPB's Alfredo Iturralde led his team with a 3-for-6 afternoon Friday.
LCU needs a win Saturday to finish with an even record, entering the day 23-24 overall (10-13 in conference). The Chaps are batting .307 as a team, with McFall (.365) and
Jesse Pintado (.361) leading the team at the plate. McFall leads the team with 69 hits, 13 doubles and 43 RBI.
The Chaps have an ERA of 5.80.
Levi Westerlund is expected to make his final collegiate start. The senior is 2-6 overall with a 6.09 ERA. Westerlund appeared in last season's season finale by garnering a save in relief against UTPB (5-4 win).
UTPB had a five-game win streak end with their loss to the Chaps Friday in the series opener. They are 29-13 overall, 18-8 in conference and 15-9 at home. UTPB is hitting .302 on the season, with David Lee hitting .456. He entered the series with a conference best .475 average. He leads the team with 57 hits and 32 RBI. The Falcons have only produced six home runs on the season.
The pitching staff for the Falcons hold a 4.32 ERA. Chris Cano is expected to make the start on the mound and make his first appearance against the Chaps. Cano is 8-3 on the season with a 3.52 ERA.
LCU is 20-2 all-time against UTPB and 7-2 in games played away from Hays Field in the series. The Chaps won the first 14 meetings, with a meeting on Mar. 6, 2012 in Midland, Texas serving the only time UTPB had defeated the Chaps prior to Friday's 3-1 Falcons win. LCU swept the three-game series last season.
