NO. 23 LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (13-4, 11-4, LSC) at
NO. 17 ANGELO STATE (14-5, 14-5 LSC)
Sunday, March 6 – 1 p.m.
Foster Field – San Angelo Texas, Texas
 
LEADING OFF
Lubbock Christian has a chance to earn a series win in a tough environment on the road on Sunday, as they head into the series finale with Angelo State holding a 2-1 lead in the series. All three of the games so far have been down to the wire, with every win coming in the last inning. The Chaps stole two wins off of Ram relievers, coming from behind in the ninth on Friday and the seventh in game one of Saturday's doubleheader. They very nearly won the nightcap as well, taking a lead in the seventh again, but ASU rallied to walk it off.
 
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP
LCU – Right-hander Tyler Hardwick – he of the 4.91 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched – will start the series finale on Sunday for Lubbock Christian. Hardwick has pitched four times this weekend, including one relief appearance and three starts. He has allowed eight earned runs on 19 hits and six walks in his time on the mound while striking seven batters. His most recent outing was the only one out of the bullpen, where he threw to clean innings to complete the complete game shutout last Saturday against New Mexico Highlands. Hardwick has been an extreme ground ball pitcher so far this season, racking up 25 groundouts to just eight fly outs.
 
ASU – A right-hander will pitch for the Rams as well, meaning it will probably be Carson Childers on the mound. Childers boasts an identical ERA to Hardwick (4.91), although his has come in 18.1 innings of work. He has made two prior starts and five appearances out of the bullpen this season. He has allowed 10 runs on 17 hits and seven walks while ranking second on his time with 23 strikeouts. The Chaps have already seen Childers once this weekend, as he blew the save opportunity and took the loss on Friday, allowing four runs on four hits. The only other right-hander still available who has made a start for  the Rams this season is Cody Kingman. His only start was in the first series of the season though, and he has appeared twice out of the bullpen since.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.281 | Tyler Hardwick has been good at pitching with runners on so far this season, limiting opponents to a .281 batting average (9-32) in those opportunities
17 | Although reached base streaks from Eduardo Acosta and Luis Navarro ended yesterday, Jarred Gibson went a combined 3-7 at the plate in the doubleheader and still has a hit in all 17 games
.550 | Chap catchers caught three Angelo State runners stealing in the two games Saturday, and their stolen base allowed percentage of just .550 leads the Lone Star Conference