LUBBOCK, Texas - Senior Ayden Alger and senior Chris Shull combined to toss a complete game shutout on Saturday as the No. 6 Lubbock Christian Chaparrals blanked the St. Edward's Hilltoppers 7-0 to advance to next weekend's Lone Star Conference Championship Finals.

Alger (5-3) started and picked up the win for LCU (38-14), going seven shutout innings while giving up five hits, walking two, and striking out eight. Shull was dealing out of the bullpen as well, going two shutout innings, allowing only one hit, walking one and striking out four.

At the plate, LCU was led by Jacob Gutierrez, the sophomore went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Chaps jumped on the Hilltoppers early, striking for six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Gutierrez, Ryan Ball, and Hayden Blair picked up RBIs in the frame. 

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when Gutierrez picked up his second RBI of the day to extend LCU's lead to seven. 

GAME NOTES

• Alger and Shull combined to strike out 12 Hilltopper batters. 
• Every LCU starter reached base safely in the win.
• The Chaps out-hit the Hilltoppers at a 10-6 clip, Gutierrez was the only Chap to record multiple hits. 
• Senior Carson Ogilvie stole two bases in Saturday's win.
• St. Edward's went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
• The Chaps drew four walks from Saint Edward's pitching.
• St. Edward's was led offensively by senior Kyler Kerlin, who went 2-for-3.
• The Chaps advance to play in next weekend LSC Tournament Finals. 

LCU will host the Lone Star Conference Championship Finals next weekend (May 9-11). The double-elimination tournament will consist of the four winners of the opening round series. The Chaps will open the tournament by playing the winner of UT Tyler or UT Permian Basin. Game times are still TBD.