TYLER, Texas (May 1, 2022) – Lubbock Christian University scored early again but gave up the lead in the middle innings and fell 11-5 to UT Tyler in Sunday's series finale at Irwin Field.
 
The loss was the third on the weekend for the Chaps, who dropped their first series of the year and finished the 2022 regular season with a 34-16 overall record. LCU had already secured the No. 3 seed in the Lone Star Conference standings heading into Sunday's game, and they will take on the No. 6 seed St. Edward's in the opening round of the championship tournament next weekend.
 
For the third time in the four games in Tyler, it was LCU who drew first blood, as they scored in the first inning yet again. Carson Ogilvie led things off with a double and ended up scoring on a groundout from Mason Donohoe, but a double play kept the Chaps from scoring anymore.
 
Lubbock Christian put two on with one out again in the second on a Cayde Ward walk and Brevin McCool single, adding to their lead with a sacrifice fly from Grant Griffin and chasing UTT starter Nick Niebur from the game.
 
The Patriots broke through in the bottom of the second though, taking advantage of three walks and a Chap error to plate three runs. UTT added one run in the third to lead 4-2.
 
LCU came right back in the top of the fourth though, rallying to tie the game with two outs. McCool reached base for the second time in the game, drawing a walk out of the seven-hole. Caden Hensley followed up with a bit swing, smacking a home run over the right field wall.
 
Peyton Hutson came on in relief of Chap starter Ty Stephenson in the bottom of the fourth and got the first batter he faced out, but struggled through the rest of the frame. He hit a batter, walked one and gave up a couple of hits. Two passed balls were key in the inning, as the home team eased back in front by two.
 
The fifth saw UT Tyler break the game open, as the led off with a pair of ground ball singles and an error that could have led to a double play. Before the frame ended, the Patriots had a 10-4 lead. They added one final run in the sixth.
 
LCU's last bit of offense came in the top of the eight, as Larry Leitha doubled to lead off and scored on a single from Jarred Gibson. McCool also walked in the inning, but a strikeout ended the Chaps' final attempt at a rally.
 
INSIDE TH ENUMBERS
.167 | Lubbock Christian was 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position on Sunday and hit 4-for-24 in those opportunities in the four games against UT Tyler
11 | The Chaps allowed double-figures, marking just the fourth time they have done that in a loss this season. They are 5-4 when opponents score 10 or more
.667 | LCU finished the regular season with a 32-16 league record for a .667 winning percentage in conference play
 
NEXT UP
As one of the top four seeds in the LSC Championship, Lubbock Christian earned the right to host one of the opening weekend series. They will take on the No. 6 seed St. Edward's in a best-of-three series May 6-8 at Hays Field.