BELTON, Texas (May 13, 2016) – Oscar Sepulveda made Lubbock Christian University's stay at the 2016 Heartland Conference Tournament a quick one Friday afternoon at Red Murff Field. The St. Mary's University pitcher struck out 11 batters and tossed his first complete game of the season to help the Rattlers defeat the No.13 Chaparrals 3-2 in an elimination game.
 
LCU struggled at the plate over their two-day stay in the tourney and Sepulveda held the conference's top hitting team to six hits and to two runs (one earned).  Sepulveda, making his fourth start of the season, struck out 11 batters (eight looking) and threw 134 pitches.  He held the Chaps hitless over the final 12 batters he faced.
 
St. Mary's struck first with a two-run first inning. Bryce Brandl homered with a solo shot down the right field line, and Donnie Perez doubled in Matt Smith later in the inning for a 2-0 Rattlers lead. Chaps starting pitcher Ricky Contreras allowed three hits in the first inning, but held the Rattlers to three hits over the following six innings he pitched. Two of the three hits allowed, following the first inning, were in the fourth inning. The Rattlers were threatening with runners in scoring position with one out, but LCU got out the jam with a 5-2 fielder's choice with Chaps third baseman Josh Narvaiz fielding a grounder and throwing home to catcher Chase Simmons for the put-out.
 
Tony Reyes doubled in the second inning and scored off a ball put in play by Brett Wilhelm for LCU's first run. They tied the game 2-2 in the fourth inning with Wilhelm grounding into a bases loaded fielder's choice.
 
The Rattlers had an opportunity to regain the lead in the seventh inning. A leadoff single was followed by an error and LCU was forced the bring in the infielders to try and prevent a run. It worked for the Chaps, as they were able to force a pair of ground outs that held the runners from advancing and a fly-out to end the threat. LCU would not be as fortunate in the eighth inning. Relief pitcher Brent Bezio started the eighth inning and gave up three consecutive singles. The third, hit by Angel Vega, unlocked the 2-2 tie and gave the Rattlers a 3-2 lead. The run would hold as the difference.
 
Contreras went seven innings and allowed two runs off six hits and struck out six batters. He did not walk a batter and did not receive a decision. The loss went to Bezio (5-2). Brandon Urquizo and Reyes each went 2-for-4 to lead LCU at the plate. Perez led StMU going 2-for-3 and the Rattlers also had 2-for-4 performances from Jack Kaiser and Vega.
 
The Rattlers improved to 32-20 and remain in the tournament, while LCU leaves Belton 35-17 overall. LCU will now hope for one of three at-large bid berths to the South Central Region tournament. The NCAA Division II Baseball Selection Show is Sunday night at 9 p.m. on NCAA.com
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.063 – LCU was 1-for-16 in the Heartland Conference Tournament when batting with runners in scoring position. They were 0-for-6 Friday.
.197 – The Chaps hit .197 as a team at the tournament.
.375 – Brandon Urquizo led LCU in the tournament with a .375 batting average, going 3-for-8.
5 – Five of LCU's last seven losses have been decided by one run.
30 – Hunter McFall did not reach base, marking the first game against a conference program this season in which he did not reach base successfully. He had reached in the prior 30 games.