LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (6-13, 6-13) vs.
UT TYLER (17-2, 17-2)
Saturday, March 7 – 2 p.m. (DH)
Hays Field – Lubbock, Texas
 
LEADING OFF
The Chaps had a rough go of things Friday night at Hays Field in the series opener against UT Tyler, keeping things close for about half of the game before a 10-spot by the Patriots in the sixth inning led them to a win. LCU basically gave the game away, committing eight errors that led to six unearned runs. The Chaps get a chance to even the series and even take the lead on Saturday though, as they will match up with the Patriots for a doubleheader at Hays Field at 2 p.m.
 
ON THE MOUND
Game One
LCU – Lefthander Armando Valle will get the nod in game one for Lubbock Christian, making his sixth start of the season. The Puerto Rico native currently holds an ERA of 6.08 and has been hot and cold during the year. The ERA is inflated because of two outings – one against St. Edward's where he allowed five runs in two innings, and another where he allowed nine runs in four and a third against Angelo State. In his other three outings combined, the southpaw has allowed just four runs in 17 and a third innings pitched. Valle has some of the best stuff on the LCU staff, averaging 11.41 strikeouts per nine innings.
 
UTT – The Patriots will counter with their own lefty, Reagan MacDonald, who is a 6-9 senior from McKinney, Texas. MacDonald comes into the game with a 3.76 ERA in 26 in a third innings on the mound. He has allowed 11 runs on 18 hits and also struggles with the walk, giving up 14 free passes so far this season. MacDonald is second on his team with 34 strikeouts and has opponents batting just .202 against him this year.
 
Game Two
LCU – Logan McCrummen is the probable starter for the Chaps in the second half of the doubleheader. McCrummen has pitched six times already this year, four times in relief and twice as a starter. He comes into the game with a 4.58 ERA in 17 and two thirds innings on the mound. He has walked 14 batters, struck out 13 and has opposing batters hitting .302 off of him.
 
UTT – The LSC's leading pitcher by ERA Garrett Arredondo will go to the mound for UT Tyler in game three of the series. Arredondo comes into Saturday with a 1.16 ERA in 23 and a third innings pitched, having allowed just four runs on 16 hits. He has walked just eight batters while striking out 31.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
100 | LCU came into the series ranked No. 24 nationally in walks drawn and added eight more on Friday to get to triple digits on the year.
17-2 | With a win last night and a loss from Angelo State at St. Edward's (3-2) the Patriots are now tied for first in the LSC with a 17-2 record
16 | Larry Leitha reached base Friday with a pair of walks and a double, extending his reached base streak to 16 games
9 | George Mendazona had a pair of singles in the series opener for his team-leading ninth multi-hit game of the season
.401 | LCU put their leadoff batter on in two of the seven innings on Friday, keeping their season on-base percentage when leading off an inning above the .400 mark
16 | The Chaps came into the weekend ranked No. 8 nationally in double plays turned and added another one to that total on Friday
5-4 | In games in which they score first, Lubbock Christian has a winning record, but they are 1-9 when the opponent gets on the board first