LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (30-13, 28-13, LSC) vs.
UT PERMIAN BASIN (12-30, 11-30 LSC)
Saturday, April 23 – 2 p.m. (DH)
Hays Field – Lubbock, Texas
 
LEADING OFF
It was weird last weekend when the Chaparral baseball team was on the road against Cameron and went into the doubleheader portion of the series down one game in the series. Weird, because it was only the second time it had happened all season. For the most part, LCU has been very good at winning the opening game and giving themselves a shot at winning the series with a doubleheader sweep. In the last month though, the Chaps have been unable to get wins in both ends of the doubleheader. They have split the two games in one day each of the last four series. The last doubleheader sweep was on March 18 at Texas A&M-Kingsville, when they won 2-0 and 4-2 against the Javelinas. They will try and buck that recent trend and beat the Falcons twice Saturday at Hays Field.
 
STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP
Game One
LCU – After back-to-back complete games in each of his last two starts, Ethan Coombes will take the mound for the Chaps in the second game of the series. The right-hander has allowed just two runs in each of those two outings while striking out a total of 17 batters in 13 innings of work. Overall, Coombes boasts a 5.17 ERA, which is the best of the Chaparral starters, in 54.0 innings of work. He also leads the team in strikeouts, but sometimes struggles with command, as evidence by his team-leading 35 walks. The New Mexico native suffered a hard-luck loss last weekend, allowing just two hits and three walks against Cameron but suffering the decision anyway.
 
UTPB – The Falcons will also send their team-leader in strikeouts to the mound to start the doubleheader in the form of Parker Buys. He has a 7.49 ERA and 1-4 record in 10 appearances, all of which have come as a starter. In 45.2 innings of work, he has allowed 46 runs on 56 hits and 25 walks. Opponents are hitting .289 against him. Buys threw four innings last week against St. Mary's, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
 
Game Two
LCU – Shandon Herrera will take the ball for Lubbock Christian in the second game of the doubleheader, also coming off a complete game against Cameron last weekend. The right-hander has an ERA of 6.37 in 53.2 innings of work, with all of his appearances coming in the starting role. He has allowed 38 earned runs on 67 hits, walking 26 batters and striking out 46. Opponents are hitting .312 against him. It's been a bit of a weird season for Herrera, who has been excellent on the road while struggling in his starts at Hays Field. His 3.41 ERA away from home leads the team, and he is 4-0 there, but at the friendly confines, the ERA is 11.64 in 19.1 innings of work. He did have one excellent start at home in the very first series of the year, when he pitched 6.0 innings against Arkansas-Fort Smith, allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts.
 
UTPB – Cade Pollard is the probable pitcher for the Falcons, coming into the weekend with an 8.02 ERA in 33.2 innings of work. This will be the eighth start of the year for the junior, who is 1-3 on the year. He has allowed 32 runs on 55 hits and 24 walks with just 15 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .377 against him. Pollard was solid last weekend against St. Mary's, allowing just one earned run on seven hits and a walk in 4.2 innings against the Rattlers.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
7 | With two triples on Friday night, Chap outfielder Eduardo Acosta now has seven on the season, which is the second-most in the Lone Star Conference
.330 | Lubbock Christian was 9-for-18 hitting with runners on base on Friday and they are batting .330 in those situations this season
.203 | Herrera has been especially good against left-handed batters this season, allowing just 13 hits in 64 at-bats for a .203 opponent's batting average
36 | LCU has turned 36 double plays this season, which is the second-most in the LSC, only three back of league-leading St. Mary's
.223 | Coombe's opponent's batting average of .223 this season is the second-best mark in the conference