LUBBOCK, Texas (May 3, 2018) – The Lubbock Christian University Chaparrals were clutch with two outs, while No.16 Arkansas – Fort Smith was unable to take advantage of free opportunities, and together it resulted in LCU stamping a 5-2 and 11-10 Heartland Conference victory over the Lions Thursday at Hays Field.
 
LCU combined for 27 hits in the two games, with 15 coming in two-out at-bats. The Chaps hit .556 (15-for-27) in two-out at-bats, leading to a 10-1 advantage in two-out RBI, as the Lions were 0-for-15 in the same category. UAFS was held to 13 hits on the afternoon and found more success not swinging the bat, as they had 20 batters reach on free passes (11 walks and nine hit batters).
 
The Lions stranded 19 runners on base and their lack of success with runners on base was their downfall in the opening game loss to LCU. UAFS went 1-for-11 with runners on base and the one hit was a double by Dion Williams in the top of the first inning to produce a 1-0 lead.  They went 0-for-10 the rest of the way with runners on base and completed the game 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They were 0-for-4 with the bases loaded leading to three innings closing with the bases loaded to strand a trio of runners.
 
LCU rebounded from the 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the first inning with a triple by Scotland Church, who appeared to have a single until the ball took a wild hop over the right fielder's head and went to the wall. Pratt plated Church with a single. Andres Negron (second inning) and Keaton Greenwalt (fourth inning) each hit their fifth home run of the season and they were each part of LCU's string of five straight runs to take a 5-1 lead. Church and Logan Nethercot also added an RBI in the game.
 
Callan Johnson went an eventful 5.1 innings, allowing two runs off two hits. He struck out five batters, but hit four batters and surrendered seven walks. Johnson (7-4) turned over the final 1.2 innings of work to Chandler Casey, who claimed his second save of the season. Javon Rigsby went the 7.0-inning distance for his seventh complete game of the season. He allowed five runs off nine hits and fell to 6-4.
 
UAFS opened the second game with a 1-0 lead after a sacrifice fly. LCU exploded for seven hits in the second inning, leading for five runs and a 5-1 lead. It was short lived, as Brandan Warner's two-run double sparked a four-run inning in the top of the third inning to tie the game 5-5. Braden Hayward singled in the bottom half of the inning to regain the LCU lead at 6-5. Anthony Seminaris tied the game with an RBI in the top of the fourth inning to square the score 6-6.
 
The Chaps sent seven batters to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning and it led to a four-run inning and a 10-6 lead. Keaton Greenwalt drove in a pair of runs in the inning. The Lions piled some unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning, and their four runs tied the game 10-10. Hayward was the difference in the game, as he led off the seventh inning with a home run for a 11-10 LCU advantage.
 
Hayward (3-for-4), Will Clark (3-for-5) and Dillon Drury (3-for-5) co-led LCU with three hits apiece. On the hill, Shandon Herrera pitched an inning in relief and claimed the win (2-0). Casey pitched the final 2.0 innings and allowed one hit and struck out five for his second save of the day and third of the season. Korbin Polly (5-1) suffered the loss in relief.
 
The pair of losses by UAFS were their first string of consecutive losses since February. They fell to 32-15 overall and 17-9 in conference.  The Chaps moved to a much needed 15-11 in conference and they are 30-18 overall.
 
Free admission and free food awaits fans attending Friday, as the Chaps will honor their seniors at an estimated 2:40 p.m., before the doubleheader opener gets underway at 3 p.m. at Hays Field.  ESPN3 is streaming the games Friday.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
1 – UAFS went 1-for-7 at the plate with the bases loaded Thursday. LCU did not have an at-bat with the bases loaded.
3 – Dion Williams led UAFS Thursday with a .419 average off four hits.
4 – Logan Nethercot (4-for-6, .667) and Will Clark (4-for-8, .500) each co-led LCU Thursday with four hits.  LCU hit .415 as a squad Thursday.
7 – Callan Johnson produced seven walks and still won the game. The last time a Chaps pitcher walked seven batters was on Apr. 20 in Claremore, Okla., as Ryan Johnson walked seven Rogers State batters and still won.
7 – Shandon Herrera's win decision marked the seventh time this season the Chaps bullpen has been credited with a win.
12 – LCU had 12 two-out hits in Thursday's second game, going 12-for-18 in the scenario.
49 – In the second game Thursday, the two teams combined for 49 at-bats with runners on base. LCU had 26 at-bats in the game and whacked 13 hits.