WICHITA, Kan. (March 12, 2016) – No.6 Lubbock Christian University stormed back from a 6-0 deficit with a tying run in the ninth inning and then used a four-run 13th inning for a 10-6 win over Newman University to claim their Heartland Conference opening series Saturday at McCarthy Field.
 
In the ninth inning, trailing 6-5, LCU's Brandon Urquizo reached on a lead-off walk and advanced on a Jaime Bustamante single and a Brett Wilhelm sacrifice bunt to set up two in scoring with one out.  Hunter McFall grounded out, but scored Urquizo to tie the game at 6-6.
 
The game remained 6-6 until the 13th inning. LCU's Brent Stewart reached on a bunt, and with two outs, Jesse Pintado followed with a double to right centerfield that scored Stewart.  Urquizo added to the lead with a RBI-single and Bustamante greeted Newman relief pitcher Corey Mondello into the game with a two-run home run for a 10-6 lead. The score held for a LCU win.
 
LCU pitcher Ricky Contreras was instrumental in the LCU win. The freshman pitched 7.2 scoreless innings in relief. He allowed two hits over the span and struck out 10 batters. Contreras retired the last 14 batters faced. He claimed the win and improved to 3-0 on the season.
 
The Chaps had to fight back from a 6-0 deficit suffered four innings into the game after a three-run second and fourth inning. LCU had errors play a factor in each of the innings, and two of the runs in the fourth inning came off a Tyler Bugner triple. LCU's rally started in the fifth inning off a three-run home run by Brett Wilhelm. Stewart cut the Jets lead to 6-5 in the eighth inning with a two run homer.
 
Brent Bezio started on the mound for LCU and allowed six runs (five earned) off 10 hits in 5.1 innings. LCU produced 17 hits and seven Chaps had multi-hit games. Bustamante and McFall each went 3-for-6. Wilhelm led LCU with three RBI, with Bustamante and Stewart each notching a pair.
 
The Chaps are now 15-5 overall and 2-1 in Heartland Conference play. Newman fell to 13-7 overall and 1-2 in conference. LCU returns home and hosts Bemidji State Monday at 5 p.m.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
0.00 – LCU's two pitchers with wins in the series (Guillaume Blanchette and Ricky Contreras) combined for 16.2 scoreless innings with 19 strikeouts and five hits allowed.
.500 – Jaime Bustamante was .500 in the series with Newman, going 6-for-12 at the plate.
2-3 – LCU is now 2-3 when tied or trailing after eight innings of play this season.
3 – The Chaps produced a season high three home runs Saturday.
10 – Ricky Contreras had 10 strikeouts and is the first Chaps to have at least 10 strikeouts in a game since Sam Fry on Feb. 21, 2014 (vs. Texas A&M International).