GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (February 3, 2017) – Jaime Bustamante produced a trio of hits and starting pitcher Christian Marquez did not allow an earned run in his six-inning Chaparral debut, as Lubbock Christian University improved to 2-0 on the season and at the DII AirHogs Classic with a 5-2 win over Missouri Western State Friday evening.
 
Bustamante had LCU's only hit with runners in scoring position (1-for-7) and was 2-for-2  with runners on base to make up his 3-for-5 at the plate. He was one of three Chaps with multi-hit games, as Caleb Koedyer (2-for-3) and Josh Narvaiz (2-for-4) each had two of LCU's 10 hits in the game.
 
One of the keys leading LCU to a win was their ability to escape some jams. Each of the Griffons runs came in a one-run first and one-run eighth inning, but in each inning they left the bases loaded. In the fourth inning, with LCU leading 3-1 after leadoff singles leading to a run in the second and a pair in the third inning, the Griffons were threatening with runners on the corners and one out. The threat was ended with a strike'em-out-throw'em-out scenario with Marquez striking out Logan Marston and Connor Simpson thrown out on an attempted steal of second base for the third out.
 
LCU followed the jam in the fourth inning with a two-run fifth inning. Narvaiz led off with a single and Bustamante followed with a double for the Chaps, and it was a ground out by Brandon Rix and a fielder's choice by Brandon Stewart leading to the two runs and a 5-1 lead.
 
Marquez was the first of an eventual four pitchers used by LCU. The Louisiana Tech transfer went six innings and allowed an unearned run off four hits. He struck out six batters and walked two. Nicklaus Hooper claimed his first save, shutting the door the final 1.1 innings. Donald Wanner, who was 0-1 last season in a pair of 3.2 inning appearances with Texas Permian Basin, started on the mound for the Griffons. The transfer went 4.1 innings and allowed five runs (four earned) off seven hits.
 
The Griffons, who fell to 0-3, received multi-hit games from Nick Gawley (2-for-4) and Levi Schreiner (2-for-3), who had a pair of runs-batted-in. Six of MWSU's seven hits were singles.
 
LCU, improving to 2-0 with the win, remains in Grand Prairie Saturday, where they will face Newman for a non-conference contest. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
1 – Sophomore Chase Simmons hits his first triple as a Chap.
5 – LCU was able to get the leadoff batter aboard, with Brent Stewart (2-for-2) and Narvaiz (2-for-3) having success when leading off.
6 – Along with leading the team in hits, Bustamante was also busy in the field with a game high six assists.