AUSTIN, Texas (March 27, 2021) – Down 9-5 heading into the top of the eighth inning, Lubbock Christian University scored three runs in that frame and one more in the ninth to force extras and eventually beat St. Edward's 10-9 on Saturday at Lucian-Hamilton Field.
 
The Chaps needed Saturday's win to even the series at one game apiece and used the win to move to 8-12 overall and 7-10 in Lone Star Conference play. It was Lubbock Christian's first comeback win in the eighth inning or later this season.
 
LCU started the comeback in the eighth with a leadoff single from George Mendazona and Caden Hensley walked a batter later. Edgar Hernandez followed with a double to score Mendazona and Hensely and Grant Griffin followed with a walk. Eduardo Acosta then singled in the infield to score the third run of the frame.
 
Hernandez had a monumental day at the plate, becoming the first LCU player with a five-hit game this season. He came into the game with only two hits this season. Three of his hits on the day went for doubles, matching the program record, which has been done 25 other times, including by Luis Navarro earlier this month. Hernandez also drove in three runs, scored three times and was intentionally walked once.
 
After a scoreless bottom of the eighth tossed by Koi Carrillo, the Chaps went to work again in the ninth. Nolan Machibroda started the rally with a one-out walk and was removed for pinch runner Larry Leitha. He was moved to second by a sac bunt before the intentional walk to Hernandez. Griffin drove in the tying run with a single.
 
St. Edward's got a runner to third in the bottom of the ninth, but Cade Acrey got the third out to force extras.
 
Both teams went down in order in the 10^th, but Mendazona, who reached base four times Saturday, walked to start the 11^th. His pinch runner was sacrificed over to second and advanced to third on a passed ball, scoring on the third Hernandez double of the day.
 
Acrey sat the Hilltoppers down in order to close out the win.
 
The game featured offense all the way through, with the sixth and 10^th innings being the only frames not scored in by at least one team.
 
SEU took the lead early, scoring two runs in the first and adding a third in the second inning. Navarro drove in the first LCU run in the third inning with a single, but the Hilltoppers scored three more in the fourth.
 
In the fifth, Acosta drove in a pair of runs with his single up the middle and Colin Gordon doubled him home, but SEU responded again in the bottom of the frame with a two-run home run. St. Edward's scored its last run of the day on an LCU error before the Chap comeback began in the eighth.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.545 | Lubbock Christian was able to put their leadoff batter on in six of the 11 innings on the day for a .545 on-base percentage
5 | Edgar Hernandez's five hits were the most in a single game by a Chap since Chase Whetsel had five on Feb. 11, 2019 against Cameron. It also matches the program record, although it has been done 30 other times
.350 | After going 0-11 with runners in scoring position on Friday, LCU had seven hits in 20 at-bats with RISP on Saturday for a .350 batting average
3.00 | Cade Acrey did not allow a run in three innings of relief, earning his second win and lowering his season ERA to an even 3.00
11 | Colin Gordon hit his 11^th double of the season in Saturday's win, moving him into the LSC lead in that category
 
NEXT UP
The Chaps and Hilltoppers will meet in the deciding game three of the series at 1 p.m. on Suday at Lucian-Hamilton Field.