KINGSVILLE, Texas - It was a tale of two games, as the Lubbock Christian baseball team swept a road double-header against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday at Nolan Ryan Field. 

GAME 1 | Lubbock Christian 15, Texas A&M-Kingsville 10
Junior Ryan Markwardt dominated on Friday, punching out eight TAMUK hitters over 5.1 innings of work to help power LCU past the Javelinas 15-10. In addition to his eight strikeouts, Markwardt (7-1) gave up five runs, all of them earned, on eight hits and walking two for The Chaps (25-11, 24-10).

Johnny Gomez III blasted two home runs for five RBIs to lead the Chaps at the dish. Brevin McCool was also crucial in the win, picking up two hits and driving in three runs. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Chaps put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the third inning. LCU scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of McCool.

The Javelinas then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 3-2 until the Chaps expanded their advantage in the fifth. The LCU offense exploded for six runs, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Gomez and a two-run single from senior Ryan Ball, which brought the score to 9-2 in favor of the Chaps.

LCU kept TAMUK scoreless before expanding their lead to 12-2 the following inning. The Chaps scored three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-run single off the bat of junior Shea Bowen.

The Javelinas fought back, closing the gap to 12-7 until LCU added some insurance in the seventh. The three-run frame for the Chaps was punctuated by a two-run homer from Gomez, his second of the game. bringing the score to 15-7 in favor of LCU.

TAMUK put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Chaps claimed the 15-10 victory.

GAME NOTES

• Markwardt struck out eight Javelinas hitters.
• The Chaps had both senior Hayden Blair and Gomez record multiple extra-base hits in the ballgame.
• Every LCU starter reached base safely in the win.
• Seven Chaps had multiple hits in the ballgame.
• The Chaps out-hit the Javelinas at a 16-12 clip.
• LCU went 10-for-20 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
• LCU pitchers faced 43 TAMUK hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and three fly balls while striking out 10.
• The Chaparrals drew seven walks from TAMUK pitching.
• TAMUK was led offensively by junior Kyle Perales, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
• Junior Derek Saenz led the Javelinas pitching staff, throwing 1.1 innings of three-run ball.

GAME 2 | Lubbock Christian 4, Texas A&M-Kingsville 3
The Lubbock Christian Chaparrals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 4-3 victory in game two of the double-header.

Sophomore Chris Rhoades (5-3) got the win for LCU (26-11, 25-10). The right-hander went five innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on four hits, allowing four walks and striking out seven.

Offensively, the Chaps were paced by senior Ryan Ball, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a double, a walk and two RBI. Junior Shea Bowen put together a standout performance as well, going 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Junior Brevin McCool also chipped in for LCU, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Chaps got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. LCU plated the run on a based-loaded walk by Ball.

The Javelinas failed to push any runs across before the Chap offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. LCU scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Bowen, which brought the score to 2-0 in favor of the Chaps.

TAMUK came back to tie the ballgame at two before LCU reclaimed a 4-2 advantage in the third inning. The Chaps notched two runs off of TAMUK pitching, punctuated by a run-scoring double from Ball. TAMUK put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but LCU still held on for the 4-3 win.

GAME NOTES

• Rhoades struck out seven Javelinas hitters.
• LCU pitchers faced 36 Texas A&M-Kingsville hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out 10.
• The Chaps sweep the double-header and improve to 15-4 on the road this season.
• TAMUK out hit LCU at a 9-7 clip. 
• TAMUK was led offensively by junior MJ Rodriguez, who went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

UP NEXT
The Chaps look to sweep the series as they square off with TAMUK tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Nolan Ryan Field.