LUBBOCK, Texas (February 19, 2016) – Brent Stewart triggered a four-run bottom of the eighth inning, with a two-out bases loaded double, leading to a trio of runs needed to overcome a 6-3 deficit and No.10 Lubbock Christian University rallied to a 7-6 win over No.9 Angelo State University to open a three-game series at Hays Field.

Angelo State scored an insurance run off an LCU throwing error in the top half of the eighth inning and were heading to the bottom of the eighth inning with a 6-3 lead. With two outs and two aboard in the bottom half the inning, LCU's Jaime Bustamante reached on a walk to load the bases and setting up a double by Stewart to right centerfield. It cleared the bases, with Bustamante scoring the tying run in climactic fashion. Bustamante appeared as if he was going to be gunned down on the relay home but the routine bounce to the plate was misplayed by David Goggin and Bustamante scored to tie the game at 6-6. The rally was not complete, as Hunter McFall produced the go-ahead run with an RBI-single up the middle to give LCU a 7-6 lead.

LCU's Brent Bezio took the mound for the save and drama ensued despite not surrendering a hit. An error, hit batter and a pair of fielder's choices loaded the bases with two outs for the Rams. Goggin had an opportunity at the plate to regain the Rams lead, but Bezio forced Goggin into popping up to McFall at second base and the Chaps held on for the win.

It was the second time over the final three innings in the game in which the Rams left the bases loaded. In the seventh inning, Angelo State took advantage of a pair of LCU errors with a RBI by Sam Kohler to cap a three-run inning. The Rams had the bases loaded in the inning, but Ricky Contreras came out of the bullpen and struck out Jarryd Klemm to leave the bases juiced with Rams.

The game opened up as a pitchers' duel between ASU's Bryce Zak and LCUs Russell Reber. Each had only allowed a hit through their first three innings of work. ASU ended up scoring first in the game, with runs coming across in the fourth inning off a Paxton DeLaGarza double resulting in a 2-0 lead. LCU was held to a hit through the first four innings, but they came alive in the fifth inning off a lead-off single from Brandon Rix. Brett Wilhelm followed with a double and LCU tallied a pair of runs off four hits to tie the game at 2-2. The score remained 2-2 until the three-run seventh for the Rams.

Neither starting pitcher figured into the decisions. Zak ended up going 6.2 innings and allowing five hits leading to three runs. He struck out 10 batters. Reber went six innings and surrendered four runs off seven hits while striking out four batters. Graylon Brown suffered the loss (1-1). He allowed four runs in 1.1 innings. LCU used four pitchers and freshman reliever Contreras improved to 2-0 allowing a run off a hit in 1.1 innings. Bezio collected the save for his first as a Chap.

McFall went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs driven in for LCU. He was the only Chap with more than one hit. Stewart finished 1-for-5 with three RBI. Kohler (3-for-4) and DeLaGarza (2-for-4) each had multiple hits for ASU.

LCU improved to 8-0 with the win and ended their three-game all-time series losing streak to the Rams.  ASU moved to 5-2 with the loss. The two teams continue their three-game series Saturday at 2 p.m. from Hays Field.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
1-for-11 – ASU was 1-for-11 at the plate with two-out situations.
5 – LCU produced five two-out-runs-batted-in during the game.
15 – Number of groundouts ASU hit into it.
19 – Teams combined for 19 runners stranded (10 by ASU).