CLAREMORE, Okla. (April 23, 2016) – Jesse Pintado had a three-hit performance, which including a home run, and it helped No.7 Lubbock Christian University claim another Heartland Conference series, as the Chaparrals won the rubber match of a three-game series 9-3 Saturday over Rogers State University at Diamond Sports Complex.
 
Pintado's home run capped a 6-0 lead to start the game for LCU. His two-run home run in the fourth inning was his first home run of the season and his second of his LCU career. His prior home run was on Feb. 9, 2014 (against New Mexico Highlands), which was in his third career game as a Chap.
 
LCU had scored the initial four runs of the 6-0 lead in a four-run third inning. The scoring started with Brett Wilhelm going deep for a team co-leading fifth time this season (career ninth). The solo home run was followed by RBI singles from Jaime Bustamante and Hunter McFall and a ground out RBI by Brandon Rix.
 
The first nine Hillcats batters were retired in order, but RSU was able to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning after leadoff singles by Colton Crocker and Caleb Kohlmeyer set up a sacrifice fly by Chris Miguel. LCU extended the 6-1 advantage in the seventh inning with a three-run inning. Pintado opened the inning with a single and eventually scored on a single hit by Rix. McFall followed with an RBI and J.P. Rousseau hit a two-out RBI single to cap the Chaps scoring.
 
RSU had five hits over the final three innings (three hits prior), but they were only able to manage getting a run across the plate in the seventh and eighth inning. LCU turned two double plays in the final two innings, with an around-the-horn double play turned to end the game. Overall, LCU turned three double plays in the game.
 
Russell Reber was the Chaps starting pitcher, making his 10^th start of the season. He went seven innings and claimed the win (6-1), holding RSU to two runs off six hits without allowing a walk. Tyler Kruse suffered the loss for RSU. The Hillcats starter allowed six runs (five earned) off seven hits in four innings of work. He fell to 4-4 on the season.
 
Pintado's season high three-hit performance (3-for-4) led LCU at the plate. They also received a multi-hit performance from Rousseau (2-for-3). Rix and McFall joined Pintado with two RBI. Ismael Orozco (2-for-4) had RSU's only multi-hit game of the series.
 
With the win, LCU remained as the only Heartland Conference team that has won every series they have played in and they improved to 31-12 overall and 16-5 in conference. RSU fell to 23-19 overall and 9-12 in conference. LCU, winners of nine of their last 11 games, returns home Tuesday to host Wayland Baptist at Hays Field for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
0 – The number of hits Rogers State produced in the first three innings of each game of the series (combined).
.198 – RSU's batting average for the entire three-game series.
2 – The combined number of hits Saturday with two outs (the teams combined to go 2-16 with two outs).
3 – Jesse Pintado's three-hit game was his first of the season. He had six games of three hits or more last season.
3 – The number of walks issued by Chaps pitchers in the series.
5-for-8 – LCU was 5-for-8 Saturday with runners in scoring position.
6 – Pintado registered six hits in the series and led LCU with a .545 (6-for-11) batting average in the series.
7 – With LCU taking the series as the road team, it marks the seventh time (out of 10 regular season series) the road team has claimed the series.
10 – The home run by Pintado marked the 10^th different Chap to hit a home run this season. Brandon Urquizo hit his first home run of the season Friday at Rogers State.
12-for-15 – LCU was 12-for-15 Saturday in opportunities advancing base runners.