LUBBOCK, Texas (February 26, 2022) – Lubbock Christian University plated runs early and often on Saturday afternoon, sweeping the short series with New Mexico Highlands with a 10-0 victory in rule-rule fashion at Hays Field.
 
The win completes non-conference play for the Chaps, who have now won four straight and nine of their last 10 to move to 11-3 on the year.
 
LCU junior right-hander Ethan Coombes set the tone for the game. Starting on the mound, Coombes sat the Cowboys down in order in the first inning with a pair of swinging strikeouts. The Chaparral offense gave him a run in the bottom of the first on an error and they could have won the game with just that, although they scored many more times.
 
Coombes sat NMHU down in order again in the second and would go on to have his best outing of the season. The New Mexico native earned his first win as a Chap with five innings of shutout ball. He allowed just three hits in his time on the mound – all singles – while striking out 10 and walking none. It was the most strikeouts in a single game by an LCU pitcher this season.
 
Lubbock Christian tacked on another run in the second but got nothing more. In the third, they were able to put up a crooked number, with Larry Leitha, Jarred Gibson and Jaxson Edwards all driving in runs.
 
The only home run by either team came in the fourth, as George Mendazona pulled one down the right field line that just stayed foul. It was his third round-tripper of the season.
 
LCU scored multiple runs again in the fifth, plating their final four of the game. Grant Griffin started things off with a single and quickly scored on a triple by Carson Ogilvie. Griffin would come up to bat again in the inning, as the Chaps sent 10 men to the plate and scored another three runs before the frame ended.
 
Tyler Hardwick came out on the mound in the top of the sixth to replace Coombes and gave up a pair of hits but still kept the shutout alive. LCU was finally held scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, but it didn't matter, as Hardwick got three quick outs in the seventh to end the game early.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
52 | With a hit-by-pitch and a single, Luis Navarro extended his reached-base streak to 52 games, dating back to last season
.333 | The Chaps hit .448 in the game (15-31), raising the team's season batting average to .333
.280 | Coming into the game, opponents had been hitting .500 against Chaparral starter Ethan Coombes, but with just three hits allowed in five innings, he lowered his opponent batting average to .280
 
NEXT UP
Lubbock Christian will be on the road next weekend for what is currently a top-25 matchup against Angelo State. The Rams have yet to play a game this weekend, but will take on St. Mary's in back-to-back doubleheaders Sunday and Monday in San Antonio.