LAREDO, Texas (April 1, 2017) – There was no joking around around on April Fool's Day Saturday at Haynes Field, as Texas A&M International came back from a 3-0 deficit with six unanswered runs to defeat No.14 Lubbock Christian University 6-3 and avoid a sweep in their Heartland Conference series.
 
LCU came out hot with a pair of hits, including a bases loaded double with two outs by Chase Simmons, which cleared the bases for a trio of runs-batted-in and a 3-0 LCU lead. Chaps starting pitcher Russell Reber held TAMIU to three hits through the first four innings, but the Dustdevils were able to get a run across in the fourth inning with an unearned run scoring off LCU's first error of the series.
 
William Mora led off the sixth inning with a solo home run to cut the Chaps lead to 3-2. They would tie the score later in the inning with another unearned run off a Chaps error. Alex Medina doubled in the lead run in the seventh inning and it led to a two-run seventh inning for a 5-3 lead. Alexander Cabezas hit a solo home run for the Dustdevils in the eighth inning to cap the scoring.
 
The Chaps could not muster any offense after the three-run first inning. They went a span of 18 batters (fourth inning until the ninth inning) without a hit in the game.
 
Eduardo Rodriguez started on the mound for TAMIU, but did not figure into the decision. He went 6.2 innings and allowed three runs (all unearned) off six hits. They win went to Eleazar Rojas, who went 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. Reber went 5.1 innings and allowed six hits leading to three runs (two unearned). Colton Blackford allowed two runs in relief and was strapped with the loss (0-1).
 
Cabezas was 3-for-4 on the afternoon to lead TAMIU. Josh Narvaiz was LCU's only multi-hit producer, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Simmons had all three LCU runs-batted-in.
 
The loss ended LCU's win streak at seven games. It matched their longest of the season. LCU falls to 23-9 overall and 7-2 in Heartland Conference play. TAMIU improved to 7-20 overall and 2-10 in conference action.
 
The Chaps return home Tuesday to host No.8 West Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m. at Hays Field. The contest was originally scheduled Feb. 28, but was postponed due to high winds.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.255 | LCU was out-hit in the series, with a .255 batting average in the series. TAMIU hit .293 in the series.
.556 | Josh Narvaiz led LCU in the series at the plate going 5-for-9 with three RBI.
.583 | Alexander Cabezas led TAMIU in the series with a 7-for-12 appearance, which included a home run and three runs scored.
1-8 | Saturday, LCU was 1-for-8 at the plate with runners in scoring position.
13-2 | TAMIU committed 13 errors (compared to two by LCU) in the series, which led to 10 unearned runs for the Chaps.