LUBBOCK, Texas (March 25, 2022) – Lubbock Christian University trailed by as many as five runs in Friday night's series-opener against St. Edward's, but a seven-spot in the bottom of the sixth led LCU to a 12-10 win.
 
The Hilltoppers (18-11, 18-11 LSC) actually out-hit the Chaps (21-6, 18-6 LSC) 15-13 in the ballgame, but LCU hit .429 with runners in scoring position compared to just .267 in those situations for SEU.
 
St. Edward's drew first blood in the game, scoring a pair of runs in the second after both teams were scoreless in the first. The Hilltoppers were threatening for more, with runners at the corners with two outs, but Chap starter Tyler Hardwick got a groundout to end the inning.
 
LCU wasted an opportunity in the bottom of the second when they put their first two batters on and scored no runs. The got on the board in the third though, taking the lead with a four-spot. It was the bottom of the order that got things going, as Carson Ogilvie singled and Caden Hensley walked to start the frame. The pair scored on a single by George Mendazona. Larry Leitha drove in another run with a sac fly and Mendazona scored on a single by Mason Donohoe.
 
Mendazona had a huge night at the plate overall, adding a third RBI later in the game and finishing 3-for-5 at the plate with a pair of doubles. The Chap third basemen is now batting .357 on the season.
 
The Hilltoppers tied the game right back up in the bottom of the fourth and proceeded to build their five-run lead with three runs in the fifth and another two in the top of the sixth. LCU, meanwhile, went scoreless in the bottom of the fourth and fifth, despite putting their leadoff batter on in both frames.
 
The Chaps had their leadoff batter on a lot Friday night, having whoever that person was reach in every single inning except the first for an .875 on-base percentage (7-8) in those situations.
 
In the sixth, Lubbock Christian was finally able to take advantage. With SEU starter Wesley Gafford nearing the 100-pitch mark and seemingly beginning to tire, Jarred Gibson singled to lead off. Gibson would bat again before the inning was over, as LCU sent 12 men to the plate in total.
 
Luis Navarro singled to tie the game up with one out, and scored the go-ahead run after back-to-back wild pitches. Gibson second hit of the inning – a double that the right fielder lost in the lights – scored the final run of the frame.
 
The Chaps brought in Cannon Davis to close out the game, replacing Logan Ellis on the mound. Ellis got the win in relief, allowing three runs on a couple of hits in his 2.0 innings of work. It is his first win of the season.
 
Davis did an excellent job finishing out the game, earning his third save of the season in the process. The right-hander looked in trouble early, allowing a one-out single and walk in the top of the seventh, but he got out of the jam and worked a perfect eighth.
 
In the ninth, SEU shortstop Morgan Allen tripled with one out to cause some concern. Allen was a thorn in the Chaps' side all night, going 4-for-5 out of the nine hole with a homer and the triple. He scored on a groundout before another Hilltopper single, but Davis got Stacey Bailey to ground out to end the game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.319 | George Mendazona got his first hit with the bases loaded this season in the fourth inning of the game. Chap hitters are now 15-for-47 in bases loaded situations this season for a .319 batting average
3 | For the second-straight game, LCU pitchers combined to strike out just three batters. They have only struck out fewer than three batters in a game twice this season, and both of those contests were just seven innings
.459 | Chap shortstop Carson Ogilvie has been on a tear in the month of March. With his 2-for-4 performance on Friday, he is now 17-for-37 in the month for a .459 batting average
 
NEXT UP
The Chaps can win the series on Saturday if they sweep the doubleheader, which begins at 2 p.m. at Hays Field.