LUBBOCK, Texas - Powered by a offensive explosion and clutch pitching, the Lubbock Christian baseball team swept a home double header against Eastern New Mexico Saturday afternoon. The two wins claims a series victory for the Chaparrals. 

GAME 1 | No. 9 Lubbock Christian 6, Eastern New Mexico 5
Junior Josh Akers (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for LCU. The left-hander went 1.2 shutout innings, giving up just one hit.

Senior Nate Van Maanen led the Chaps at the plate, going 1-for-3 and driving in three runs. His lone hit was a three run homer down the right field line. Shea Bowen also homered for the Chaps, blasting a two run bomb to right field. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Chaps got on the scoreboard first, starting in the fourth inning. LCU scored three times, all of them coming across on a three-run homer off the bat of Van Maanen.

The Greyhounds failed to push any runs across before the Chaps offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. LCU scored twice on Bowen's two-run homer, which brought the score to 5-0 in favor of the Chaps.

Eastern New Mexico then rallied to tie the ballgame at 5-5 in the seventh inning. The score remained tied before LCU walked it off in the bottom of the ninth when sophomore Jake Sherrard came across to score on a Frayner Chavez sacrifice fly. 

GAME NOTES

• Senior Aydan Alger started on the mound for LCU. The lefty tossed 6.1 innings, allowing five runs, all earned, and struck out seven Greyhound batters. 
• LCU pitchers faced 39 Eastern New Mexico hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out eight.
• The Chaps and Greyhounds both recorded eight hits. Brevin McCool led LCU with two base knocks.
• Eastern New Mexico was led offensively by senior Cooper Hamilton, who went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
• Junior Josaiah Estrella led the Greyhounds pitching staff, throwing 2.1 innings of one-run ball.

GAME 2 | No. 9 Lubbock Christian 12, Eastern New Mexico 9

Junior Josh Akers (2-0) picked up his second victory of the day. The southpaw came out of the bullpen and pitched 0.2 shutout innings while giving up just one hit.

In the batter's box, the Chaps were led by sophomore Jacob Gutierrez, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run, a walk and three RBI. Senior Jarred Gibson put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-1 with a double, three walks and two RBI. Senior Jaxson Edwards also helped out for LCU, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a home run and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Chaps were trailing 6-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. LCU plated three runs in the inning, one on a passed ball and two on bases loaded walks. 

LCU pitchers kept the Greyhounds off the board before taking the lead in the fourth. The Chap offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Gutierrez, which brought the score to 7-6 in favor of the Chaps.

LCU's lead had disappeared by the time the fifth inning arrived and turned into an 8-7 Eastern New Mexico advantage, when the Chaparrals re-gained control at 11-8. The Chaps bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of Edwards.

The Chaps kept the Greyhounds scoreless before their offense got things rolling the next inning. LCU drove in a run on Chavez's leadoff home run, bringing the score to 12-8 in favor of LCU. Eastern New Mexico put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Chaps still held on for the 12-9 win.

GAME NOTES

• Every Lubbock Christian starter reached base safely in the win. McCool and Carson Ogilvie led the team with two hits each.
• Ogilvie stole three bases and junior Shea Bowen swiped two in the win. The Chaps swiped six bases as a team.
• LCU went 5-for-9 (.556) with runners in scoring position.
• Lubbock Christian pitchers stepped up when it mattered, limiting Eastern New Mexico to just 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
• Eastern New Mexico was led offensively by junior Daniel Pruitt, who went 2-for-2 with two home runs and three RBI.
• Rendon led the Greyhounds pitching staff, throwing 1.1 innings of one-run ball.

UP NEXT
The Chaps and Greyhounds wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon. LCU's senior class will be honored in a pregame ceremony at 12:40 p.m. with first pitch to follow.