HOUSTON, Texas (January 30, 2021) – Lubbock Christian University's collected hits early and often, including home runs by three different players, in a 9-3 win over UAFS on Saturday at Minute Maid Park.
 
The Chaps (1-1) also got stellar pitching in the win from Armando Valle, Cade Acrey and Owen Woodward, who combined to strike out 11 Lions (1-1) in the win. LCU only recorded 11 or more strikeouts in a game once last season, in a 7-4 win over St. Edward's on Feb. 1.
 
Valle was the starting pitcher in the win, and he set the tone early with two strikeouts in the bottom of the first. The Puerto Rico native ended up striking out nine batters during his four and a third innings on the mound while just allowing two runs on two hits. The nine Ks matched a career-high for Valle, which he set on Feb. 9, 2020.
 
In the top of the second, his offense gave him a lead to work with, with Nolan Machibroda providing the first run of the game for the second straight day. Leading off the second, Machibroda went opposite field over the left field wall for the second time this season.
 
LCU pushed across another run in the third inning, as Eduardo Acosta singled with two outs, advancing to second on a throwing error. Colin Gordon drove him in, crushing a triple to the base of the wall in center field. It was the start of a good day for Gordon, who also doubled and singled later in the game for a team-high three hits.
 
Valle gave up his first run in the bottom of the fourth, making the score 2-1, but the Chaps responded quickly with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Grant Griffin singled with two outs, and Acosta followed with his first home run of the season to drive them both in.
 
UAFS pushed a second run across in the bottom of the fifth, and the Chaps brought in Acrey to relieve Valle with runners at first and third. Acrey came in and escaped the jam with no more damage done, and once again LCU responded with two runs of their own. After a groundout from Luis Navarro to lead off the sixth, Machibroda walked, bringing Cayde Ward to the plate. Ward connected for LCU's third home run of the day, making the score 6-2.
 
Acrey pitched a clean sixth inning, getting the second of his three strikeouts, and the Chaps went down in order in the top of the seventh. The Lions scored one final run in the bottom of the seventh and had runners at first and second, but Acrey induced a groundout to end the threat.
 
Ward drove in another run in the eighth inning with a sacrifice fly after Gordon doubled and stole third. In the ninth, Mason Donohoe pinch hit and walked to lead off, before a perfect bunt from Griffin and a throwing error by UAFS pushed across another run. Gordon then singled home Griffin for LCU's final run in the win.
 
Freshman Owen Woodward came in to pitch the ninth inning for his first collegiate appearance. He retired the first two batters he faced on two pitches before allowing a hit. He closed the door by getting a lineout.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
5 | After collecting just one hit in 10 at-bats with runners on base on Friday, the Chaps went 5-11 in those opportunities against UAFS
.556 | With two hits and three walks in nine plate appearances, Nolan Machibroda currently leads LCU with an on-base percentage of .556
16 | With three home runs on Saturday, Lubbock Christian has now hit five already this season. In 2020, the Chaps did not hit their fifth home run until the 16^th game of the season, which came on Feb. 29.
.156 | LCU's five pitchers used so far this season have held right-handed batters to just seven hits in 45 at-bats for a .156 batting average.
.333 | Chap leadoff batters have reached base in six of their 18 chances so far, giving them a .333 on-base percentage
 
NEXT UP
LCU will wrap up the Houston Winter Invitational with a matchup against Arkansas Tech at 10 a.m. on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.