ODESSA, Texas (May 2, 2015) – Lubbock Christian University garnered a pair of runs off three hits in the first inning, but would only produce four hits the rest of the game, while also allowing 11 unanswered runs, as LCU had their 2015 season come to a close with a 11-2 loss at University of Texas of the Permian Basin Saturday afternoon.
Prior to the series, UTPB had only defeated LCU once in 20 all-time meetings. The Falcons defeated LCU in two of the three games with Saturday's series win. It was another negative side note to a season which ends with a record of 23-25. The 23 wins is a program single season low and the 23-25 record marks the second losing season in program history and the first since a 38-40 record from the 1981 season. The Chaps finished 10-14 in conference play and finish in seventh in the Heartland Conference standings.
The Chaps had a start that showed promising signs to finishing the season on a position note. LCU, with seven hits in the game (all singles), produced three singles in the first inning.
Jose Favela produced a sacrifice fly and
Brett Wilhelm hit an RBI-single for a 2-0 Chaps lead. LCU would then go a span of 11 consecutive batters without a hit (would not have a hit until the fifth inning).
Meanwhile, the Falcons went on a scoring spree. Nine Falcons went to the plate in the second inning and they produced five hits (all singles), leading to four runs. They followed with a four-run fifth inning for an 8-2 lead. Randal Toribio produced two of the four runs in the third inning off a two-run double. UTPB would pick up an insurance run in the sixth and eighth inning.
Jesse Pintado and
Stephen Withrow each went 2-for-4 for LCU and combined for four of the team's seven hits. Daniel Andrade (3-for-5) and Bryan Van Vraken (3-for-4) each had three hits for the Falcons, with Van Vraken also driving in three runs. LCU went with all seniors on the mound. Lee Westerlund started and allowed eight runs (four earned) off eight hits in 2.1 innings. He suffered the loss (2-7).
Ryan Taylor,
Elfego Torres and
Dalton Silva also pitched in relief. Chris Cano claimed the win for the Falcons (9-3), allowing a pair of unearned runs off five hits in five innings.
The Chaps matched a season high with five errors and it is the eighth time this season LCU has had four or more errors in a game. A bugaboo statistic for LCU, as they allowed 78 unearned runs this season (1.7 runs per game), which accounts for 23% of the runs scored by the opposition this season.
UTPB concluded the regular season 30-13 and finished in third in the conference with a 19-8 conference record. They will join Arkansas - Fort Smith, St. Edward's and St. Mary's in the conference tournament.
Despite the tough season for the Chaps, there is reason for optimism for a turnaround season. Whether they went undeafeated or had never won a game, Saturday's game meant the end of the road for the 2015 season since LCU is not eligible for postseason play. If LCU receives approval to be a full NCAA member, next year they will be postseason eligible with more to play for. They also wouldn't mind a repeat of history. LCU's last losing season (1981) was followed with a program record 64 wins in 1982 and they won their first national title in 1983.
