LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (11-6)
vs. ST. EDWARD'S (10-8)
March 9 – 12:30 p.m.
Lucian Hamilton Field (Austin, Texas)
 
 
LEADING OFF
Lubbock Christian University is in the midst of its last road series during the season's first month, taking on St. Edward's in a nonconference matchup for four games. The Chaps were victorious in game one of the series, jumping out to an early 9-0 and coasting to a 13-7 victory. Andrew Pratt homered twice in the game, and James Hardberger and Braden Hayward also hit four-baggers, leading to Ryan Johnson's fifth game on the mound this year.
 
THE CHAPARRAL NINE
• Chaps went 2-8 against the Hilltoppers during the 2018 season
• LCU plays 17 of its first 22 games away from home this season, with 12 games on the road so far
• Chaps are averaging 7.3 runs per game
• LCU's staff ERA of 3.41 leads the Heartland Conference
• Chap batters are hitting .315 with runners in scoring position
• Two Chap pitchers rank in top 15 nationally in Ks with Ryan Johnson at 8 and Callan Johnson at 12
• LCU's 25 home runs are the most in the Heartland Conference and rank No. 8 nationally
• Catcher Andrew Pratt already has 17 walks this season, just one less than in all of the 2018 season
 
 
INSIDE THE SERIES NUMBERS
15 | LCU hit four more home runs in Friday's series opener, three of which were solo shots, bringing them to 15 one-run home runs on the year
.069 | In Friday's game, starting pitcher Ryan Johnson gave up a hit to a left-handed batter all year, bringing the lefty season average against him to .069
3 | Hilltopper Dylan Mackin was the only SEU player to score multiple runs on Friday and did so without a hit, reaching base on two walks and two hit-by-pitches
8 | Keaton Greenwalt was caught stealing on Friday for the first time all season, breaking a string of eight straight stolen bases without being caught for the Chaps
63 | LCU leadoff batters have 63 hits this season in 145 at-bats, hitting .435 when starting off an inning
 
IN THE POLLS
LCU stayed in the top 10 in one Division II National Baseball Poll this week, holding steady in the Perfect Game Poll. Only two in-region teams are ranked above the Chaps in Texas A&M-Kingsville (9) and Colorado Mesa (1). LCU is not ranked or receiving votes in the national poll for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association but was slotted at No. 8 in the association's South Central Regional Poll.
 
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 3,087 games throughout all those years, posting an overall program record of 2,084 wins and 1,008 losses in that time.
 
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.
 
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 226-113 (.667) won-loss record.