CANYON, Texas (February 21, 2017) – University of Houston transfer Marshall Kasowski struck out 16 batters and No.24 West Texas A&M set a program single game record with 22 strikeouts, but No.6 Lubbock Christian University, with 10 strikeouts from Daniel Crooks, was able to garner a 3-2 road victory at Wilder Park for the Chaparrals first road win of the season.
 
Of the game's 54 outs, 36 were via strikeouts. The first 10 outs WT recorded in the game were via strikeouts by Kasowski, who had struck out at least eight of the nine batters in the Chaps starting lineup 3.1 innings into the game. Despite the incredible numbers, LCU led in the first inning and never trailed in the game.
 
Jaime Bustamante walked to leadoff the game and scored all the way from first base off a double produced by Logan Nethercot deep into the right centerfield gap. Tony Reyes, who opened the game 2-for-2, reached on an infield chopper that WT second baseman Bodie Bryan lost in the son and misplayed.  The misplay allowed Nethercot to score for a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
 
WT produced eight runs in the game and four were produced in the first two innings. The Buffs opened the bottom of the first with three singles and scored their opening run off a ground out to cut LCU's lead to 2-1. Crooks settled down and retired the next two batters. WT tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning off a double into the right field corner by Troy LaBrie, but Crooks was solid limiting the damage.
 
The Buffs stranded four runners in scoring position in the first three innings, but Crooks settled down the remaining three innings he pitched. He retired the final seven batters he faced in order and did not allow a hit to the last nine batters he faced. Meanwhile, his offense was able to muster a lead. In the fourth inning, Reyes reached on a single and advanced to third base on an error off a failed pick-off attempt by the catcher. He would score on a wild pitch from Kasowski.
 
Crooks after six innings and Nick Hooper went the rest of the way and claimed his third save of the season. WT only had one base runner in scoring position past the fourth inning and Luis Amaro, the runner in scoring position in the eighth inning, would only last in scoring position after a fielder's choice retired him at third base on the ensuing batter.
 
Kosowski (2-1) went six innings and allowed three runs off five hits. Of the 18 outs recorded while he was on the mound, 16 were by strikeouts. Just McAllister pitched the final three innings for WT and struck out six batters while allowing three hits. Of LCU's 27 committed outs, 22 were by strikeouts. The 16 strikeouts by Kosowski, which was one off a WTAMU program single-game high, and the 22 strikeouts by WT were highs against the Chaps since game-by-game records of opponents have been kept on file since 2006.
 
Crooks claimed the win for LCU (2-1). He struck out 10 batters in six innings and allowed two runs off six hits. Crooks issued one walk. LCU struck out 14 batters, marking the most since LCU struck out 16 batters on Apr. 3, 2015 against Oklahoma Panhandle State.
 
At the plate, LCU was led by Nethercot, who was 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Reyes and Brent Stewart each went 2-for-4. Jimmy Cubillos had the only multi-hit game for WT with a 2-for-3 plate performance.
 
LCU ended a three-game losing streak with the win and improved to 8-4 on the season. They handed WT, who was off to their best start in program history, their first loss of the season (9-1). The Chaps return home and will face Colorado State University - Pueblo at 5 p.m. Friday to open a four-game series.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBER
1 | Each team had one hit with runners in scoring position, as LCU was 1-for-8 and WT was 1-for-10.
2-for-12 | Each team was 2-for-12 in hits with two outs.
10 – Tony Reyes extended his hit streak to 10 games with his infield single in the first inning.
29 | Of the 37 batters faced, LCU produced first-pitch strike on 29 of the batters. Daniel Crooks had a first-pitch strike called on 22 of the 26 batters he faced.
74 | Daniel Crooks threw 97 pitches and 74 were for strikes, marking a rate of 76.3% of pitches thrown for strikes.