LEADING OFF 
Lubbock Christian University will play its first home games of the 2019 season this weekend, taking on the Cameron Aggies in a four-game set. The Chaps spend the majority of the first month of the season on the road, playing only five home games out of the first 23, including last weekend when they went 2-1 at the Edmond 1st Pitch Classic. LCU had a pair of dominant pitching efforts in their opening weekend, as Ricky Contreras gave up just one run in eight innings and Callan Johnson struck out 12 batters in six innings. They were led at the plate by Keaton Greenwalt and James Hardberger who had two home runs apiece. 

THE CHAPARRAL NINE
• LCU will play their home opener this weekend after three games on the road to start the 2019 season
• Chaps were 21-6 at home last season and are 99-30 there over the last five seasons
• Last time Lubbock Christian played Cameron was April 5, 2016 (midweek game)
• Lubbock Christian leads the Heartland Conference with four home runs
• Aggies are 2-1 after an opening weekend series at Texas A&M-International
• LCU batters leading off an inning are hitting .393 this season
• Chap starting pitchers have a combined ERA of just 1.80
• Lubbock Christian is 23-17 against Lone Star Conference opponents in the last five seasons
• Chaps are second in the Heartland Conference with 36 strikeouts as a pitching staff

FRIENDLY CONFINES

Lubbock Christian will play the first four of 22 scheduled home games in the 2019 season this weekend as they take on the Cameron Aggies. Originally dedicated on April 29, 1978 as Chaparral Stadium, the complex was renamed Hays Field in 1999 to honor the L.D., Pearl, Larry, and Daren Hays families for their dedication and commitment to the ideals and values of Lubbock Christian University. The playing dimensions of Hays Field measure 340 feet down the lines, 380 feet to the power alleys, and 400 feet to straight away center. LCU was 21-6 at home last season and is 99-30 in their own ballpark since the start of the 2014 season. 

DOUBLE-TRIPLE

In LCU's second game of the season, they achieved something they could not do all of 2018. During the game, Chaps Eddy Vasquez and Hill Alexander hit triples, marking the first time since February 25, 2017 (vs. Colorado St.-Pueblo) that two LCU triples were hit in the same game. The last time the Chaps had more than two triples in one game was April 25, 2015, when they hit three in a game against Oklahoma Christian. 

HOME RUN HARDBERGER

On Feb. 3 when the Chaps were takin on Missouri Southern State in the Edmond First Pitch Classic, James Hardberger had a career first. The Lubbock native hit two home runs in the same game. Hardberger previously hit five home runs in his LCU career, with all of them coming during the 2018 season. He is currently leading the team in total bases (11) and slugging percentage (.846). 

SENIOR STARTERS

LCU's three-man starting rotation during the opening weekend of the 2019 season included three seniors on the mound. Ricky Contreras, the Opening Day starter, has been with the Chaps since his freshman year in 2016, while Callan Johnson and Ryan Johnson both joined the team last season after JUCO careers. The three starters combined for 20 innings pitched, 24 strikeouts and an ERA of just 1.80 with an opponent's batting average of .186.

STIRRING START

In Friday's 2019 season opener, the Chaps earned a win and did so in about the most exciting way you can win a baseball game -- a walkoff. LCU had struggled at the plate most of the game, recording only three hits (all singles) before the 10th inning. With one out though, Chase Whetsel doubled for the team's first extra-base hit. Andres Negron quickly followed with a double of his own to score Whetsel and win the game. 

2000 AND COUNTING

Since the inception of LCU's baseball program in 1971, the Chaparrals have been one of the best baseball teams at whatever level they were playing at. Lubbock Christian has played 3,075 games throughout all those years, posting an overall program record of 2,075 wins and 1,003 losses in that time for a winning percentage of .674.

HOMEGROWN PRODUCTS

Of the 33 players on the Lubbock Christian University baseball team this season, exactly one third (11) played high school baseball in Lubbock. Another three players on the 2019 of LCU's baseball team are from the surrounding area of Lubbock, including Idalou, New Deal and Shallowater. 

ROAD WARRIORS

The Chaps will play 18 of their first 23 games this season away from the friendly confines of Hays Field and City Bank Clubhouse, playing just one home series (vs. Cameron Feb. 8-10) and one midweek game (vs. New Mexico Highlands Feb. 19) before March 14. LCU was 13-14 in games away from Lubbock last season and is 72-60 in road or neutral site games over the last five seasons. 

COACHING CONSISTENCY

Lubbock Christian is bringing back the same three main coaches that have been with the team each of the last six seasons. Pitching coach Justin Sundlie, who played catcher at LCU in 2005 and 2006, is the newbie of the group, entering his seventh season with the Chaps, while head coach Nathan Blackwood and hitting coach Bob Fannin have been leading the program for the last 15 seasons. Together, the group has led LCU to a pair of first place finishes in the Heartland Conference, two NCAA South Central Regional appearances and a 217-108 (.667) won-loss record. 

OUT OF THE PARK

Chap hitters did well at the plate in the 2018 season as the team averaged 9.7 hits and 6.4 runs per game while hitting .303 as a team. The offensive prowess, however, came from their power. LCU led the Heartland Conference in slugging percentage at .493 (27th in the nation), home runs with 63 (32nd in the nation) and doubles with 108 (29th nationally). 

PRESEASON PROWESS

With three players on the All-Heartland Conference Preseason Team, LCU was the conference leader. Catcher Andrew Pratt (2018 Heartland Defensive Player of the Year), reliever Chandler Casey (2018 All-Heartland Conference First Team) and outfielder Will Clark were all selected for the preseason honor. LCU was picked to finish No. 2 overall behind St. Edward's, but received the same number of first place votes (7) as the Hilltoppers. 

IN THE POLLS

LCU was recognized in a pair of national polls prior to the start of the 2019 season, including a No. 15 ranking from Perfect Game USA. In the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper preseason poll, the Chaps were selected as the 40th best team in the country, while the National College Baseball Writers Association top 25 did not include Lubbock Christian. The NCBWA did include LCU in its preseason South Central Regional poll, placing the Chaps in sixth place.