GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (May 20, 2016) – Brandon Urquizo hit a two-run triple with two outs to break a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning and No.19 Lubbock Christian University eliminated No.23 West Texas A&M from the NCAA Division II Baseball South Central Region Tournament with a 4-2 win Friday at Suplizio Field. The win keeps LCU unbeaten in the tournament and they will play Angelo State Saturday at 1 p.m. (Central).
 
Urquizo's at-bat in the bottom of the eighth inning was only made important because of LCU's "Houdini Act" to get out of some bases loaded jams defensively. With the scored tied 2-2 in the sixth inning, WT had the bases loaded with two outs, but were unable to plate a run, as Trace Hansen's line drive to right centerfield was caught via a diving catch made by Chaps centerfielder Brent Stewart. In the seventh inning, LCU relief pitcher Brent Bezio came in from the bullpen with the bases loaded and no one retired. Bezio forced a pair of fielder's choice ground outs (both outs at home plate) and forced a slow ground ball to shortstop Jamie Bustamante, who charged it and was able to make the throw to first base in time for the third out to prevent any runs from scoring. WT was 0-for-4 with the bases loaded in the game.
 
Ryan Rogers, who hit a pinch-hit home run Thursday, pinch hit in the bottom of the eighth inning and produced a single. With two outs, Brett Wilhelm hit a single and the Buffaloes made a change on the mound and went with All-Region reliever Kyle Tinuis. It set the stage for Urquizo, who hit a line drive deep to the right centerfield gap. The hit drove in a pair for the Chaps 4-2 lead and was Urquizo's first hit of the tournament.
 
WT opened the game's scoring with a run in the first and third inning. Doubles by Hansen and Josh Day set up their opening run, and an unearned run was scored in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. LCU did not get on the scoreboard until the fifth inning. Jesse Pintado hit a two-out single to score Brett Wilhelm and it cut the deficit to 2-1. The Chaps received doubles from JP Rousseau and Brendan McCarthy in the sixth inning and it set up an RBI by Brent Stewart to tie the game 2-2.
 
The Chaps received a 3-for-4 performance at the plate from Rousseau and received 2-for-4 performances from Wilhelm, Pintado, McCarthy and Hunter McFall. Day led the Buffs going 4-for-5 from the plate.
 
Bezio went three innings of relief and limited the Buffs to one hit and improved to 6-2 on the season. Justin McAllister took the loss (7-3) for WT, allowing two runs off three hits in 1.1 innings of relief. Austin Moore started for the Buffs and went 6.1 innings allowing two runs off 10 hits while striking out six. Russell Reber started on the hill for LCU and allowed two runs (one earned) off eight hits in six innings.
 
The loss for WT ended their season with a 36-20 record. The Chaps (37-17 overall) are now 2-0 at the tournament, which is their first NCAA postseason appearance in program history. If the Chaps win Saturday, they will advance to Sunday's championship game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
0-for-4 – Line for WT when batting with the bases loaded in the game.
2-for-15 – WT's batting line with runners in scoring position.
3 – The Chaps have allowed two earned runs in the tournament.
3 – LCU produced three two-out RBI in the game.
5-for-11 – LCU's batting mark with two outs. WT was 1-for-9 in the same category.