LUBBOCK, Texas (February 9, 2016) – A 10-run third inning led Lubbock Christian University to a run-ruled shortened 13-3 victory West Texas A&M University Tuesday at Hays Field.
 
The Chaparrals sent 15 batters to the plate in the third inning and produced nine hits leading to the 10 runs. Hunter McFall singled twice in the inning to account for three runs-batted-in. The Chaps had seven run-producing hits in the inning, with five coming in consecutive at-bats.
Facing a 10-0 deficit in the fourth inning, WT's first four batters reached safely. A sacrifice fly by Mason Shiflett allowed the Buffs to cut their deficit to 10-2, but LCU was able to get out of the jam and force WT into leaving the bases loaded.
 
The Chaps responded in the bottom half of the fourth inning with a pair of home runs. Chase Simmons hit a one-out solo home run and Brett Wilhelm followed two batters later with a two-run shot to left-centerfield. It was the first homer of the season for each Wilhelm and Simmons. The three-run inning gave LCU a 13-2 lead.
 
The Buffaloes added a run in the fifth inning, but left the bases loaded again and were unable to avoid the run-rule result. WT stranded 13 runners in the game.
 
LCU had 15 hits in the game and all nine of their batters in the starting lineup had at least one hit by the completion of the fourth inning. Five Chaps had multi-hit games, with McFall leading the team with a 3-for-4 performance. Tony Reyes (2-for-3), Simmons (2-for-4), Brandon Rix (2-for-4) and Wilhelm (2-for-3) each had a pair of hits for LCU. Wilhelm also had a trio of runs and a pair of runs-batted-in. Simmons and Brandon Urquizo also each had a pair of runs driven in during the game. Josh Day, who had an 8-RBI game in WT's prior visit to Hays Field, went 3-for-4 for WT.
 
Albert Aveytia recorded the win in his LCU debut. He allowed three runs off nine hits in five innings and struck out four batters. He improved to 1-0 and is the first starting pitcher to claim a win this season for the Chaps. Ricky Contreras came in to pitch the final two innings for LCU and held the Buffs scoreless.  Joshua Payne suffered the loss (0-1) in his WT debut. He allowed eight runs off eight hits in 2.1 innings.
 
The loss was the first for WT, as they fell to 3-1. LCU, now winners of 10 of the last 13 meetings against the Buffs, remain perfect on the season and move to 4-0. They remain home Friday and host New Mexico Highlands at 5 p.m. to open a three-game series.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
0 – Through four games, LCU has not allowed an unearned run. Through four games last season, LCU had allowed 11 unearned runs.
4 – With home runs by Simmons and Wilhelm, LCU has four different players with home runs this season.
2 – LCU committed two errors in the game. They were the first two errors of the season and ended their streak of games (3) without an error.
8 – The Chaps 5-8 spots in the lineup combined for eight hits.
10 – The 10-run third inning was a season high for individual inning scoring. It is their biggest single-inning scoring mark since a 12-run second inning on Mar. 21, 2015 in Tucson, Ariz. against Dickinson State.