LUBBOCK, Texas (February 24, 2018) – A nine-run first inning set the blow-out tone Saturday afternoon at Hays Field, as No.10 Lubbock Christian University produced four home runs, with two by
Braden Hayward, and completed their first four-game sweep since April of 2013 with a 21-1 victory over Metropolitan State University of Denver for LCU's sixth consecutive win.
The Roadrunners went through three pitchers in the first inning, as LCU sent 15 batters to the plate in the first inning. LCU's nine runs came off five hits, while Metro State also committed two errors and walked six batters in the frame. LCU's first five batters reached base in the first inning, with
Ryan Rogers blasting a three-run home run for the game's first runs. Hayward hit his home runs in his first two at-bats and both were solo shots.
LCU scored at least one run in five of the six innings of at-bats. They produced 15 hits in the game, with 10 for extra-bases. They used a pair of singles in the third inning for a three-run inning and followed in the fourth inning with a two-run home run by
James Hardberger highlighting a three-run inning for a 16-1 lead. The Chaps produced six hits in the fifth inning, with four resulting in doubles. It led to a five-run inning and
Keaton Greenwalt's double was the only hit of the inning driving more than a run.
Fifteen different LCU players played in the Chaps most lopsided affair since a 22-0 win over University of the Southwest on Mar. 21, 2017. Of LCU's 15 hits, 11 different players had at least one hit. Hayward, who had LCU's first multi-home run game since
Caleb Koedyker hit a pair at Angelo State on Feb. 17,2017, completed a 3-for-5 performance at the plate.
Ryan Rogers, who hit a grand slam Friday, finished the game 1-for-2 with four runs-batted-in.
LCU clubbed four home runs for the first time since hitting four against West Texas A&M on Apr. 7, 2015. They also hit six doubles (all by different individuals).
Hiding in the shadows of the offensive display was the pitching of LCU's
Ricky Contreras, who improved to 1-1 on the season. Contreras went five innings and allowed one run off two hits, while striking out seven batters.
Colton Blackford and
Daniel Gerhart each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
Metro State was held to three hits in the game. They went through six different pitchers and none pitched more than 2.1 innings. Starting pitcher Beecher Strube (1-1) allowed six runs off four hits and faced seven batters in 0.1 innings pitched. Roadrunners pitchers combined for 12 walks, which is the most by an LCU opponent since St. Ambrose issued 15 free passes to LCU on Mar. 13, 2013 in Tucson, Ariz.
LCU complete their season opening 11-game homestand with a 7-4 mark and winners of six consecutive games. The four-game sweep was their first since sweeping Rogers State at home in April of 2013. The Roadrunners loss places them at 4-8 on the season.
The Chaps hit the road for their next seven games, beginning with a three-game series in Alamosa, Colo. where they will face Adams State University. The series begins Thursday with a 3 p.m. (Central) first pitch.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
4 | LCU has produced at least one hit with the bases loaded in their last four games.
7 |
Ryan Rogers and
Braden Hayward each went 7-for-14 (.500) at the plate in the series and each had two home runs. Rogers had 10 RBI in the series and scored seven runs.
9 | Nine of LCU's runs Saturday came on two-out RBI.
9 | Nine different Chaps had at least one RBI, as LCU produced 19 RBI, which is the most since producing 19 on Feb. 6, 2016 against Adams State.
12 | Twelve of LCU's 15 hits Saturday came with at least one runner on base. They were
12-of-19 (.632) with runners on base and 9-of-14 (.643) with runners in scoring position.
12 | The Roadrunners committed 12 errors in the series, leading to 12 unearned runs scoring. LCU committed two errors in the series.
43-20 | LCU, outscoring Metro State 41-6 in the series, out-hit Metro State 43-20 in the series. LCU hit .347 in the series, while MSUD was .190 at the plate.
