LUBBOCK, Texas (March 19, 2016) – No.10 Lubbock Christian University matched a program single game record with five double plays turned, as they were able to win the rubber match in their Heartland Conference series against St. Mary's University with a 10-5 victory Saturday afternoon at Hays Field.
 
LCU matched a program record completed on Apr. 4, 2006 against Wayland Baptist with their five double plays. It also matched a Heartland Conference single game record completed two prior times (last completed on Feb. 23, 2013 by St. Edward's at Texas-Permian Basin). The occurrence also marks the third time this season a team has turned five double plays in a game in NCAA Division II play this season.
 
The game was the first game this season LCU has won when trailing after the first inning (1-4). They trailed after Bryce Brendl hit a solo home run over the right field fence. LCU was able to respond and they scored in every inning except the first and sixth innings.
 
Brent Stewart and JP Rousseau had two of LCU's four hits in the second inning and they each drove in a run to give LCU a 2-1 lead. Rousseau helped add to the lead in the third inning with a bases loaded two run single, extending the lead to 4-1. Brandon Urquizo's leadoff double in the fourth inning led to a 5-1 lead for the Chaps before the Rattlers could get back on the scoreboard. Angel Vega's double for the Rattlers sparked a two-run fifth inning and cut LCU's lead to 5-3.  The Chaps built their lead back in the bottom of the fifth inning with a trio of runs off three hits. Urquizo scored a pair with a double and LCU led 8-3. Donnie Perez got the Rattlers within 8-4 in the sixth inning with a lead off double leading to a run, but LCU kept their distance. Jesse Pintado provided LCU a lift in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly and Tony Reyes had an RBI-single later in the inning to push LCU's lead to 10-4. A bases loaded walk allowed the Rattlers to cut the deficit to 10-5 before Glen Warrick converted on his team leading third save of the season by getting a 6-4-3 routine double play to end the game.
 
Rousseau was 3-for-5 with three RBI to lead LCU. Brandon Rix (2-for-5), Reyes (2-for-4), Pintado (2-for-3) and Urquizo (2-for-4, 2RBI) also had multi-hit games for LCU. Vega led StMU going 3-for-5 at the plate.
 
St. Mary's used five pitchers in the game and none lasted more than three innings. Victor Garza was their starter and went 2.1 innings allowing four runs off six hits. He fell to 2-1. Brent Bezio claimed the win for LCU and improved to 4-0. Bezio went six innings and allowed four runs off 10 hits.
 
LCU improved to 18-6 with the win and they are 4-2 in Heartland Conference play. StMU fell to 14-12 overall and 2-4 in conference. LCU returns to non-conference play Tuesday with a 6 p.m. first pitch in Plainview, Texas against Wayland Baptist.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
3-1 – LCU walked three batters and struck out one. It was the second time this season LCU has had more walks issued than strikeouts.
4 – JP Rousseau completed the series with four RBI in two games played.
5 – Tony Reyes and Hunter McFall each had five hits in the series, with Reyes leading the team batting .556 (5-fo-9) in the series.
8 – The amount of times LCU has scored at least 10 runs in a game this season. Three times in their last five games.
9 – The Chaps had nine hits with runners on base and six with runners in scoring position.
9 – LCU had nine two-out RBIs in the series.