LUBBOCK, Texas (April 3, 2021) – Lubbock Christian University kept close with No. 6 West Texas A&M all game, but the Buffs pulled away in the ninth to win 8-3 on Saturday at Hays Field.
 
The Chaps' best chance to win the game came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Trailing by two runs to start the frame, but George Mendazona led things off with a walk. After a Luis Navarro fly out, Mason Donohoe also walked and Colin Gordon walked was well to load the bases.
 
Chris Rodriguez was removed from the game and replaced by reliever Carter Brown, but Brown also walked Caden Hensley to force in a run and pull the Chaps within a run still with just one out in the inning. Brown bared down though, striking out the next two LCU batters to end the LCU rally.
 
West Texas A&M added four runs in the top of the ninth to increase their lead all the way out to five runs, and Brown worked through the Chaps again in the ninth to secure the WT sweep.
 
The loss dropped Lubbock Christian to 8-16 overall this season and 7-14 in Lone Star Conference play. The No. 6 Buffs are now 24-2 and 21-2 in league action.
 
Armando Valle started the game on the mound for the Chaps and gave up the first four runs to the Buffs. WT went scoreless in the first but scored one run in the second and added another three in the third to take an early lead.
 
Peyton Hutson came in to replace Valle to start the fourth inning and had a strong outing. The right-hander was on the mound for three innings, allowing no runs on just one hit with a pair of strikeouts.
 
While he was on the mound, LCU finally broke through for its first two runs of the day. Both runs came after WT starting pitcher Tod Danzeisen was removed from the game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Facing the new reliever, Luis Navarro promptly homered to left center. Then Donohoe walked and Colin Gordon singled. After another pitching change, Hensley singled in the second run.
 
The Chap deficit stayed at two runs until the eighth, when they pulled within one, before the Buffs pulled away in the ninth.
 
NEXT UP
Lubbock Christian will be at home again next weekend, starting a series against Eastern New Mexico at 6 p.m. on April 9 at Hays Field.