LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (16-20, 14-18 LSC) vs.
UT TYLER (25-14, 23-12 LSC)
Sunday, May 2 – 1 p.m.
Hays Field – Lubbock, Texas
 
LEADING OFF
UT Tyler may have already won the series, but Lubbock Christian still has a chance to salvage a win and build momentum heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The Chaps have actually out-hit the Patriots in the series so far, .303 to .257, but the Patriots have been able to pull through with a pair wins already thanks to timely hitting and strong outings from their bullpen. Lubbock Christian will need to keep up their performance at the plate along with good pitching to secure a win in the finale.
 
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP
LCU – Right-hander Shandon Herrera will go to the mound looking for his third win on the mound in the last two weeks. The Odessa native earned two Ws last week, one in the midweek against Angelo State and one in the series finale against UT Permian Basin, making him 5-2 on the year in nine appearances (all starts). He has spent 41.1 innings on the mound, allowing 29 earned runs on 46 hits and 21 walks while striking out 33 batters. He has a 6.31 ERA overall and opponents are batting just .299 against him.
 
UTT – Nolan Cox will most likely get the start for the Patriots, making his 12^th total appearance and seventh in a starting role this year. The sophomore left-hander has a 6.75 ERA in 37.1 innings of work. He has allowed 28 earned runs on 55 hits and 14 walks while striking out 34. Cox's last two outings have ended in losses for the Patriots, including last week when he allowed nine runs on 11 hits against St. Mary's.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.571 | George Mendazona leads the team with a .571 batting average so far this weekend, collecting four hits in seven at-bats. His season average is all the way up to .342
.337 | UTT probable starter Cox has an opponent's batting average of .337, which is the highest of any Patriot hurler that has seen action this year
.268 | If Cox does start or pitches at all, it will be the first left-hander the Chaps have faced this weekend. They are hitting .268 (69-257) against left-handed pitching this season, led by Caden Hensley's .400 average
4.59 | Pitching entirely as a starter this season, Herrera has averaged 4.59 innings on the mound per appearance. His season-high of 6.1 innings was on March 12 at Texas A&M International
6 | Larry Leitha hit two home runs in Saturday's loss, increasing his season total to a team-second six in only 80 at-bats