LUBBOCK, Texas (February 24, 2017) – No.12 Lubbock Christian University played their third consecutive game decided by one run Friday, and Colorado State University – Pueblo's run in the eighth inning was the difference, as the ThunderWolves defeated LCU 4-3 in the opening game of a four-game series at Hays Field.
 
LCU had opportunities, but those opportunities turned into missed opportunities. In the first inning, Jaime Bustamante legged out an infield single and Brandon Rix was hit by a pitch, but Bustamante would the two were left stranded in scoring position. In the bottom of the eighth inning and LCU trailing 4-3, the Chaparrals Tony Reyes followed a Caleb Koedyker walk with a single through the right side, placing runners at the corners and no out. The tying run was left 90 feet away, as Brent Stewart struck out, Brandon Urquizo popped up and Chase Simmons grounded out to end the threat.
 
While LCU struggled to convert on opportunities, CSU-P was cashing in on theirs. The T-Wolves was 5-for-15 with runners on base and 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position. They opened the scoring with Charles Steele singling in a run in the top of the second inning, and added to it with a two-run third inning capped with a two-out RBI-single by Brandon Castaneda for a 3-0 lead. CSU-Pueblo had six hits through the first three innings, but would only have two the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, LCU battled back in the seventh inning. Bustamante drove in a pair of runs with a triple into the right field corner and would eventually score to tie the game at 3-3 on a groundout hit by Rix. The T-Wolves regained the lead in the top of the eighth inning with a lead-off walk followed by a pair of singles, which were CSU-P's only two hits past the third inning.
 
Bustamante (2-for-5) and Reyes (2-for-4) were LCU's only players with multi-hit performances, as they were held to five hits in the game. Castaneda was 3-for-4 for CSU-P.  Neither starter received a decision. Ricky Contreras went seven innings and allowed three runs off six hits, striking out six batters. Kyle Lazcano went 6.2 innings and allowed three runs off four hits. He struck out seven batters. Reagan Lucia made his team-leading ninth appearance on the mound in relief, but was saddled with the loss (0-1). Jason Lighthall (1-0) claimed the win in relief and Bret Ricklefs received the save.
 
The Chaps have now dropped five of their last seven games (three by one run) and are 8-5 on the season. Their series with CSU-P (5-6) resumes Saturday with a pair of seven-inning games, with the doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
0-for-9 | LCU was 0-for-9 when batting with two outs.
1-for-11 | LCU was 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
1 | Bustamante's triple was the game's only extra-base hit.
2-for-7 | LCU was 2-for-7 in the game on scoring the runner from third base with less than two outs.
4-3 | LCU is 4-3 now on the season in games decided by one run.
12 | Logan Nethercot had reached base safely in every game (12) this season until Friday night, as he was 0-for-5 at the plate.