LUBBOCK, Texas - Five Chaparral errors and a three-run ninth inning for UT Tyler doomed Lubbock Christian in a 12-11 loss to the Patriots on Saturday, Feb. 18.
The first two batters of the game reached on back-to-back fielding errors by the Chaps (5-5, 5-5 LSC), before a Jordan Gouchenour RBI single scored Carson Cox to give UT Tyler (8-2, 8-2 LSC) a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Ethan Bedgood extended the lead for the Pats with an RBI single of his own, scoring Tres Thomas and putting the Pats on top 2-0.
LCU answered in kind in the bottom of the first, as an RBI single by
Nate Van Maanen scored
Carson Ogilvie before a sac fly from
Chris Shull brought home
Eduardo Acosta to tie the game at two runs apiece. A
Jarred Gibson RBI double gave Lubbock Christian their first lead of the contest, and then another RBI double from
Ryan Ball scored Gibson, doubling up the advantage to 4-2 in favor of the Chaps.
UT Tyler continued to find ways to score in the top of the second inning, as an RBI single from Cox scored Lance Hutchinson, before an RBI single from Thomas scored Brandon Jewell to tie the game at four. Gouchenour brought home Cox with another RBI single to give the lead back to the Patriots, before a sac fly from Austin Ochoa scored Thomas and swelled the Pat lead to 6-4.
The Chaparrals got a run back with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the second inning, as a solo shot to left center field from Ogilvie cut the deficit down to 6-5. Yet another error by the Chaps in the top of the third allowed UT Tyler to pull away, as a pair of runs came across in the top of the third, giving the Patriots an 8-5 lead.
Both teams went quiet on offense for the most part for the next few innings, with UT Tyler having a chance with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth.
Josh Akers needed just two pitches to force a double play ball, and LCU ended the inning unscathed and still down just three runs.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Chaps found themselves with the bases loaded with two outs. Gibson drew a walk on a payoff pitch to bring home Acosta, and then a grand slam to right field over the scoreboard at Hays Field from Ball gave LCU the lead back, going ahead 10-8 after seven innings of play.
The Patriots responded in the top of the eighth with a long ball of their own, as a Bedgood solo shot to centerfield cut the LCU lead to 10-9. In the top of the ninth with two outs and the bases loaded, Ochoa came through for UT Tyler, as his two-RBI single scored Hayden Clearman and Hutchinson, giving the Patriots an 11-10 lead. An RBI single from Bedgood gave the Pats some insurance, scoring Thomas and putting UT Tyler up 12-10.
With one out in the bottom of the first, Ball singled and then advanced all the way to third after the center fielder for the Patriots mishandled the ball. A wild pitch from Logan Henderson scored Ball, and the Chaps trailed just 12-11. With runners on first and second and two outs,
Jesse Benavidez tried to steal third but over ran the bag and was tagged out, ending the game and giving the Patriots the 12-11 win to take a 2-0 series lead.
The five total errors for the Chaps are the most they have committed this season. It is also the most in a game for the Chaparrals since committing five in game two of the LSC Quarterfinals against St. Edward's on May 7, 2022.
Bedgood led UT Tyler on offense, going 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored. Gochenour went 3-for-5 at the plate as well with two RBI.
Ball paced the Chaps, going 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs. Ogilvie also had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
Logan Henderson (1-0) earns the win, going 1.1 innings and giving up one unearned run off one hit, walking one and striking out another. Garrett Arredondo earns the save (1) after going 0.1 innings and walking one batter.
Koi Carillo (1-1) was handed the loss, going one inning and giving up three runs off three hits and walking a batter.
Aydan Alger started the game, going 5.1 innings, giving up eight runs, with only three of those being earned, off nine hits, walking four and striking out two. Akers went 2.2 innings out of the pen, giving up one run off four hits, walking a batter and striking out another.
The Chaps look to steal a split from the Patriots, facing UT Tyler in a pair of seven inning games tomorrow, Feb. 19 at Hays Field. First pitch for game one is set for 12:00 PM. Fans can purchase tickets for the game at lcuchaps.com.
