LUBBOCK, Texas (May 12, 1973) - A freshman reserve pulled the biggest play of the year for Lubbock Christian College Saturday and, as a result, the Chaparrals are Phoenix bound, with dreams of an NAIA Regional Championship dancing in their heads.
David Carter, a Big Spring product who was one-for-18 at the plate before Saturday, collected two hits and drove in one run in LCC's classic 6-2, 12-inning decision over Texas Wesleyan for the District VIII crown.
The two teams had entered the game tied 1-1 in the best-of-three series.
However, it was a piece of baserunning which endeared hi to the hearts of the Chap fans. With the bases-loaded and one out in the top of the 12th, Carter broke up what seemed to to be a sure double play by erasing TWC's second-sacker as the tie-breaking run scored.
Two-Run Double
Randy Evans followed with a two-run double and continued to third on an error. TWC then brought on its third southpaw of the day, Max Waymand. His first pitch was wild and LCC was up 6-2.
Chap reliever Ken Burton mowed the Rams down 1-2-3 in the last of the inning and LCC had its third trophy of the year.
The tension-packed thriller had key plays at every turn. For example, LCC got four hits and a walk in the first inning, but managed to advance only two men past first.
TWC went in front 3-1 in the fifth, but Dick Newark, who scored the second run of the inning, failed to touch third and was out on an appeal play.
Out At Home
In the eight, TWC had two runners thrown out at the plate on the same play and in the ninth the winning run was doubled up at the plate on a perfect throw from Evans.
But Evans was caught napping in the 11th. On second when Robert Vittitow singled, Evans delayed until the ball was through before he started and was trapped halfway between third and the plate.
Burton picked up the win against a single loss, hurling 4 2/3 innings of three-hit ball. However, he was in constant trouble in the eighth, ninth and 10th inning and inherited a touchy situation in the seventh.
Bases Loaded
He was summoned from the bullpen with one out, the bases loaded and the score tied 2-2. With the count 1-1 to Gary Balch, the Rams tried a squeeze play. Balch missed the ball and Rick Ford was trapped off third. However, LCC catcher Don Worth's throw was in the dirt. Ford got up and tried to score, but Chap third sacker Rodney Gardner recovered in time to get Ford. Rusty Jacobs, who was on second, attempted to come around and score but he was trapped in a rundown.
Jacobs finally plowed into Worth, rolling him onto the infield grass. A scuffle ensue with both benches and part of the stands pouring onto th playing field before the umpires restored order.
LCC lost the pre-game coin toss and was the visiting team, and it proved to be valuable for the second-straight game. Leadoff man Henry Garza bunted on a 1-1 pitch and TWC starter Frank Fultz threw the ball away and Garza made it to third.
LCC Goes Ahead
Vittitow followed with a single and LCC led 1-0. However, Fultz got Vittitow leaning the wrong way. Jesse Benavidez followed with a bunt single and he, too, was caught going the wrong way. Bart Hernandez walked and Burton, then the designated hitter, singled but LCC could not score again.
TWC knotted the game in the second without benefit of a hit. Two walks sandwiched around an error loaded the an error loaded the bases with no outs. Palmer wild pitched a run home with one out, then hit a batter before getting Dennis McCabe to bounce into a twin killing.
In the fifth, McCabe led off with a single, was sacrificed to second and scored on Newark's two-out single to left. Jim Thomas followed with a single to center. The ball struck Benavidez' knee and bounded into foul territory along the left field line.
Misses Third
Newark scored and Thomas took third on the play. However, Hernandez detected that Newark failed to touch the bag at third and home plate umpire Jimmy Chennault called him out on the appeal play.
LCC knotted the game in the sixth, and, again, Carter was the hero. Hernandez and Burton drew walks on Fultz' first eight pitches and Gardner, who had three hits on the day, sacrificed.
With a one-strike count, Carter and Hernandez worked the squeeze to perfection, with Carter beating the bunt out for a hit.
Fultz departed after six innings in favor of Tom Elliot, who picked up a save Friday. Elliot allowed singles in the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th innings and gave up two hits in the 11th.
Opens With Single
The fateful 12th started with Hernandez singling back through the box on the first pitch. Burton sacrificed and Gardner got a bad-hop single to left with Hernandez holding second. Carter walked on a 3-1 pitch and the stage was set for the last key play.
With the count 2-2, Don Worth fouled off two pitches before bouncing what looked like a sure double-play ball to short. Carter's hard slide into second prevented Craig Hedges from getting the relay off and LCC was ahead 3-2.
Everyone in LCC's starting lineup got at least one hit witht eh exception of Worth as the Chaps outhit TWC 16-9.
The only "bad" thing about the game was that at 2 p.m., when LCC's commencement was slated to begin, many professors were still viewing the proceedings, as were seniors Vittitow and Lecil Richards.
Vittitow stroked three hits in his final appearance before the home fans and drove in LCC's initial run. LCC will take a 34-12 mark into the Regional Tournament May 24-26 in Phoenix. Thomas was again the key man for TWC, which finished 30-8. Thomas had three hits Saturday and finished the three-game sereis with eight hits in 13 trips up and had five RBIs, all in the first game.
