LUBBOCK, Texas - It was a tail of two games as the No. 4 Lubbock Christian University Chapparrals split the final two games of the NCAA Division II South Central Super Regional against No. 17 Angelo State. The Chaps finish the season with a 44-16 record and one win away from advancing to the NCAA Division II College World Series for the first time in program history. 

Game 1: LCU 25, Angelo State 12

Junior Ryan Markwardt (12-1) got the win for LCU (45-15). The southpaw went 5.2 innings, giving up nine runs, all of them earned, on nine hits, allowing four walks and striking out six.

Junior Brevin McCool lead the Chaps at the dish going 5-for-7 with four doubles and two RBIs. Senior Ryan Ball added two doubles, two home runs, a walk and six RBI to his five-hit performance as well. Senior Nate Van Maanen also contributed for LCU, putting together four hits in six trips to the plate while adding a triple, a home run and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Chaparrals scored in six different innings on the way to victory. The Chaps scored early and often, jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the fifth inning. 

GAME NOTES

• LCU got at least four hits from four different hitters, as McCool (5), Ball (5), Carson Ogilvie (4), and Van Maanen (4) all picked up four or more knocks. 
• Markwardt struck out six Rams hitters and junior Alec Stanfield fanned five for the Chaps.
• Every LCU starter reached base safely in the win.
• Chap hitters hit five homers in the ballgame.
• The Chaps out-hit the Rams at a 26-13 clip.
• LCU went 10-for-25 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
• Angelo State was led offensively by junior Kamden Kelton, who went 3-for-5 with four RBI.

Game 2: LCU 4, Angelo State 17

Junior Andrew Duran (6-1) got the ball to start for LCU with a trip to the College World Series on the line. The right-hander allowed four runs, all earned, walked one, and struck out one in two innings of work. 

In the batter's box, the Chaps were led by senior Jarred Gibson, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Sophomore Jacob Gutierrez put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and a walk. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Chaps were trailing 12-0 in the eighth inning when they first put runs on the board. LCU's offense started clicking and put up four runs in the inning, including a two-run home run off the bat of Gibson. The Chaps were unable to get any closer, as Angelo State added five runs to their tally on the way to a 17-4 final and their fourth straight world series appearance. 

GAME NOTES

• LCU's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed four runs across.
• Angelo State was led offensively by junior Jacob Guerrero, who went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and five RBI.
• Junior Alezeah Gutierrez was dominate on the mound for the Rams, throwing 7.2 innings of one-run ball.
• The Chaps finish the 2024 season with a 45-16 record and fell one game short of their first NCAA Division II World Series apperance.