LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (10-3, 9-3, LSC) vs.
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS (2-9, 0-0 RMAC)
Saturday, Feb. 26 – 1 p.m.
Hays Field – Lubbock, Texas
 
LEADING OFF
Non-conference play has just begun, but it will end on Saturday as Lubbock Christian University takes on New Mexico Highlands in the second and final game of this weekend's two-game swing. The Chaps are trying for the sweep of the season series after winning 17-5 in run-rule fashion on Friday. A win in the series finale would also give them wins in nine of their last 10 games, heading into a key matchup next weekend against Angelo State.
 
TEAM LUKE DAY
Saturday is also a special day at the ballpark with LCU's Student Athlete Advisory Committee hosting Team Luke Day. Team Luke Hope for Minds is a non profit which supports children after brain injury. Tim Siegel is the executive director of this organization.  His son Luke suffered a brain injury in 2015, and last August Luke passed away from Covid. Team Luke hope for minds approved over $500,000 to families all over the country last year. March is Brain Injury Awareness month, and Team Luke is hoping to raise money today through March third to support children with brain injuries.
 
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP
LCU – Right-hander Ethan Coombes will go to the mound for the Chaps on Saturday. The Howard College transfer has pitched twice this season and sports a 14.63 ERA in 8.0 innings of work. He has allowed 12 hits in his time on the mound, along with nine walks but does have 10 strikeouts as well. Coombes' last outing was in relief last weekend against St. Mary's. He allowed six runs in five innings of work, walking five batters while striking out seven.
 
NMHU – A left-hander will go to the mound on Saturday for the Cowboys and it will likely be Jadrian Martinez. Martinez has pitched three times already this season, including two starts. He has an ERA of 7.84 in his 10.1 innings of work. He has allowed 11 runs on 19 hits. Walks have been limited to just four, and Martinez has struck out 12 batters. Last weekend in his start against Wayland Baptist, he allowed five runs on six hits and three walks in 2.2 innings of work.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.552 | With three home runs, a triple and a double, LCU was able to raise its team slugging percentage to .552 on Friday, ranking second in the LSC in that category
1-10 | NMHU plated five runs on Friday but left a lot on the table, batting just .100 in their opportunities with runners in scoring position
.429 | The Chaps have handled left-handed pitching so far this season, batting .429 (24-56) against the southpaws they have faced. Eduardo Acosta has been the best on the team with five hits in six at-bats against left-handers