AUSTIN, Texas (April 2, 2016) – Jesse Pintado drove in a pair of runs in the 11th inning to help No.15 Lubbock Christian University defeat No.6 St. Edward's 5-3 in extra innings, and then Pintado drove in two more to complete a four-RBI afternoon and help LCU complete a doubleheader sweep with a 4-1 win in the second game of the twin bill. The two wins were huge, moving Lubbock Christian atop the Heartland Conference standings.
 
LCU led the opener 3-0 before SEU rallied with a pair of sacrifice flies in the sixth inning to cut the Chaparrals lead to 3-2. In the bottom of the seventh inning (game originally scheduled for seven innings), LCU's Brent Bezio replaced starting pitcher Ricky Contreras and was unable to claim the save. The Hilltoppers manufactured the tying run with Kevin Mayo reaching on a single and moving into scoring position to eventually score on an infield single with two outs. They attempted to win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with Wright rounding third on a play at first base, but Tony Reyes was able to throw home to catcher Chase Simmons, who applied the tag on Miles Wright to force a 10th inning. LCU loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 11th inning and Pintado delivered with a bases loaded single to score a pair and unlock the 3-3 tie. It was only LCU's third hit with the bases loaded in conference play this season. Glen Warrick pitched the bottom half of the inning and claimed the save (fourth of the season), retiring the side in order. Albert Aveytia, who pitched two innings in relief, did not allow a hit over the final four batters he faced (final seven batters for SEU did not produce a hit) and improved to 2-4 with the win.
 
For the first time ever, LCU head coach Nathan Blackwood (13th season) started a freshman pitcher in a conference game, as he put Contreras on the hill for his first start of his college career. Contreras did not receive a decision, but he was solid. He held SEU off the scoreboard until the sixth inning and had the Hilltoppers hitless until Wesley Harris' lead-off single in the sixth inning. He lasted six innings and allowed two runs off three hits. JP Rousseau and Brent Stewart each singled in a run in the fourth inning and LCU made it 3-0 in the top of the sixth with Tony Reyes connecting on his second home run of the season.
 
Rousseau (2-for-4), Hunter McFall (2-for-5) and Jaime Bustamante (2-for-4) each led LCU with two hits. Harris and Joseph Olson each went 2-for-5 to lead SEU. Cameron Stanton started for SEU, going seven innings on the hill and allowing three runs off seven hits. He did not receive the decision, as that was saddled on reliever Stuart Patke (0-1), who was charged with two runs allowed in 0.1 innings of work.
 
Russell Reber pitched his first complete game of the season for LCU in the nightcap. The second game was changed to a seven-inning contest with the first game going extra innings. He improved to 3-1 on the season, as he allowed one run off four hits in 86 pitches thrown. Reber allowed one hit over the final 18 batters he faced.
 
Pintado continued where he left off from the opener with an RBI single in the second inning for a 1-0 lead. It was short-lived as the Hilltoppers matched the run in the bottom of the second inning with a lead-off solo home run by Dylan Watts. Pintado's second RBI of the game came in a three-run fourth inning for a 4-1 lead. Brandon Rix also added a sacrifice fly RBI in the inning, which was prolonged by a Hilltopper error.  
 
Stuart Springer suffered the loss for SEU (6-1). He allowed four runs off six hits in four innings. Bryce Davis pitched three innings of hitless relief. Pintado was 2-for-4 in the game and was joined by teammate Brett Wilhelm (2-for-3) as the game's only multi-hit performers.
 
SEU, who entered the day on an eight-game win streak, falls to 24-9 overall and 8-4 in conference play. LCU improves to 22-9 overall and 8-4 in the Heartland Conference. There is a three-way tie atop the conference standings, with Newman and St. Edward's joining LCU, but the Chaps have the tiebreaker against each squad winning two of the three games in each series (on the road in each as well).  LCU returns to action Tuesday at home hosting Cameron at 6 p.m.