ODESSA, Texas - Texas Permian Basin scored a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to extend the game and eventually knock off Lubbock Christian in ten innings on Sunday, Feb. 12.
Lubbock Christian (5-3, 5-3 LSC) started off hot, as a
Nate Van Maanen RBI single scored Carson Ogilivie to give the Chaps a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Later in the frame,
Eduardo Acosta scored on a fielder's choice by Jacob Guiterrez, while a sac fly from
Jarred Gibson scored Van Maanen, extending the LCU advantage to 3-0.
Michael Clapperton singled and then stole second base for the Falcons (3-5, 3-5 LSC) in the bottom of the first inning, before he came around to score off an RBI groundout from Carson Johnson, cutting the Chaparral lead to 3-1. Both teams would go quiet on offense for a bit, with the Chaps retiring the next seven UTPB batters.
In the bottom of the fourth, Clapperton reached base safely again after drawing a walk, moving all the way to third after a pickoff attempt by
Ryan Markwardt sailed high. Clapperton scored his second run of the day later in the inning off a Johnson sac fly, and the Falcons trailed just 3-2 after four innings of play.
Texas Permian Basin had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with a runner on third, but Koi Carillo picked up a big strikeout to end the threat. The Falcons had another chance to score with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, but Acosta and Van Maanen turned an inning ending double play to keep the Chaps on top 3-2. LCU added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning, loading the bases before a fielder's choice from Acosta scored
Hayden Blair, and the Chaparrals headed into the bottom of the ninth with a 4-2 advantage.
UTPB opened the final frame with back-to-back singles, before a pop up to
Coleson Abel and a strikeout from the left-hander had the Falcons down to their final out. Cooper Ciesielski came through for Texas Permian Basin, smashing a double to left center field to bring home a pair of Falcons, and UTPB tied the game at four runs apiece to send the contest into extra innings.
In the top of the tenth,
Chris Shull opened things up for the Chaps with a leadoff single, moving to second after a sac bunt from Gutierrez. After Gibson drew a walk,
Caden Hensley struck out swinging, before
Bo Hogeboom grounded out to first base to end the inning.
Johnson opened the bottom half of the frame with a leadoff single of his own, and Jay DeSoto moved him over into scoring position with a sac bunt of his own. LCU intentionally walked Mason Hamlin, but Abel plunked Taylor McDaniel to load the bases for UTPB with one out. Jasson Hammerling was the hero for the Falcons, knocking a single to right field and scoring Johnson, giving UTPB the 5-4 victory and the series split.
It is the first time the Chaps have not won a series over Texas Permian Basin since the 2015 season, when the Falcons took two out of three from Lubbock Christian. It is also the first time the Chaps have lost in extra innings to the Falcons, and the first time LCU has lost in extras since falling to Texas A&M-Kingsville 7-6 in eleven innings on Mar. 20, 2021.
Van Maanen went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, while Ogilvie went 2-for-4 with a run scored. For the series, Ogilvie went 9-for-16 (.563 BA) with five RBI, six runs, and four doubles against the Falcons this weekend. Shull also had a solid series, batting 7-for-15 (.467 BA) with six RBI, four runs, and a home run.
Johnson led UTPB on offense today, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Creede Jeffers (1-0) earned the win for the Falcons, going 1.2 innings, allowing one run off two hits, walking three and striking out one batter.
Abel (0-1) was handed the loss, going 1.1 innings, allowing three runs off five hits, walking one batter and striking out another.
Ryan Markwardt started the contest for the Chaps, going six innings, allowing two runs, one of those being earned, off three hits, walking one and striking out three. Carillo pitched an inning out of the bullpen, allowing one hit, walking one batter and striking out another.
Josh Akers also went one inning in relief, allowing one hit and walking one batter.
The Chaps return home for a four-game set on Homecoming Weekend, hosting RV UT Tyler at Hays Field. The series begins on Friday, Feb. 17, with first pitch set for 4:00 PM. Fans can purchase tickets at lcuchaps.com.
