SAN ANGELO, Texas (March 5, 2022) – Both games of Saturday's doubleheader between Lubbock Christian and Angelo State were won in the final inning of play, with LCU taking the first 7-6 and ASU taking the second 4-3.
 
The Chaps (13-4, 11-4 LSC) scored six of their 10 runs on the day in the seventh (final) innings of the two games taking a 2-1 advantage over the Rams (14-5, 14-5 LSC) in the series heading into Sunday's finale.
 
GAME ONE
Cayde Ward was the hero of the first game of the day.
 
Angelo State took an early lead off of Chap starter Ty Stephenson by plating four runs in the second inning. LCU chipped away and pulled within a run but the Rams plated two more in the fifth to hold a 6-3 advantage heading into the seventh.
 
Ram starter Aaron Munson got two quick outs, but then gave up a home run to Luis Navarro to bring the Chaps within two. Jarred Gibson and Larry Leitha followed with singles, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate and chasing Munson for Jackson Haga.
 
Mason Donohoe's spot in the order was up, but head coach Nathan Blackwood called on Cayde Ward to come on and pinch hit. Ward did the job to absolute perfection, swinging at the first pitch he saw and crushing a home run to left center and giving the Chaps the lead.
 
Angelo State still had one more at-bat though, and they put two runners on base with one out. Brendan Anderson came on in relief and got a groundout and a pop out to secure the win and earn his second save of the season.
 
GAME TWO
The nightcap very nearly went the same way with the Chaps rallying and winning in the seventh, except this time the Rams answered.
 
It was a pitcher's duel throughout, with LCU starter Shandon Herrera and ASU starter Jake Rogers trading scoreless frames.
 
Angelo State manufactured a run in the third to take a lead and Lubbock Christian got it back in the fifth to tie the game.
 
The score stayed knotted there until the top of the seventh when Gibson led off with a double and Leitha was intentionally walked. ASU played the ensuing sacrifice bunt well, getting the lead runner at third, and a groundout from the next batter brought Carson Ogilvie to the plate with two on and two out. LCU's shortstop dumped a single into right field, scoring both runners and giving the Chaps the lead late again.
 
Herrera came back out to finish the game and got one out before surrendering a single. The Chaps went back to Anderson, who had a chance for two saves in one day. Anderson walked the first three batters he faced though, and although he did get a second out, Tayten Tredaway singled up the middle to drive in the tying and winning runs.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
54 | Luis Navarro had reached base in 54 straight Chaparral games dating back to February of last season, but he was held off the bases in three at-bats in Saturday's nightcap, ending his impressive streak
.550 | Chap catchers caught three ASU runners stealing on the day and still have a stolen base allowed percentage down at .550, which is the best mark in the LSC
4.44 | Allowing just two runs in 6.1 innings of work, LCU game two starter Shandon Herrera lowered his season ERA to 4.44 in 24.1 innings of work
 
NEXT UP
Lubbock Christian still has a chance to win the important road series, as they take on Angelo State in the fourth and final game at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Foster Field.