LUBBOCK, Texas (February 22, 2026) — Lubbock Christian dropped the finale to St. Mary's 5-3 on Saturday at Hays Field, losing the series three games to one.
The Chaparrals took an early lead with a three-run fourth inning, but failed to score in any other frame and the Rattlers rallied in the ninth and won the game in the tenth.
The Chaps have a record of 5-9 and hold the same 5-9 mark in the Lone Star Conference. StMU has an 11-2 record overall and also stands at 11-2 in the Lone Star Conference.
StMU opened the scoring in the third inning when Dillon Brooks hit a two out single and scored on a Garrett Brooks triple.
The Chaps responded in the fourth inning.
Hudson Grace led off with an infield single and advanced on a single by Nolen. With runners on second and third after a double steal,
Roe Forrest hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Grace and tie the game.
Tanner Pachorek's infield single allowed Nolen to score, and a bases-loaded walk to
Dylan Marx brought home
Ryan Gargett, giving the Chaparrals a 3-1 lead.
Chap starting pitcher
Caden Cline took the lead and ran with it, keeping the Rattlers scoreless through the next four frames, but LCU was unable to add any insurance runs either.
StMU tied the game in the ninth inning. Ryan Alaniz homered to right field with one out, and Blake Allen, pinch hitting, singled before being driven home by Matt Mendez's two-out double to left center, leveling the score at 3-3.
Andrew Dalconzo came in to get the final out of the frame.
In the tenth inning, the Rattlers took the lead with a single through the left side by Alaniz, scoring Ashton Beaird and Brooks. This gave them a 5-3 advantage, and Edward Mendoza pitched a scoreless frame to secure the win.
Caden Cline pitched 8 2/3 innings, scattering seven hits and three earned runs while striking out seven batters. He delivered 129 pitches, with 84 of them being strikes, and induced ten groundouts.
Andrew Dalconzo entered in relief and pitched 2/3 of an inning, giving up two earned runs on one hit and two walks.
Dakota McCaskill closed out the game, striking out both batters he faced in 2/3 of an inning without allowing a hit.
GAME NOTES:
- Cline's 8 2/3 innings of work are the most in a single game by a Chap pitcher since
Ryan Markwardt threw 9.0 innings against West Texas A&M on May 6, 2023.
- Grace was the only Chap to finish the game with multiple hits, notching his team-leading seventh multi-game hit this season.
- This is the first time the Rattlers have won a series against the Chaps since 2021, when StMU took three of four in San Antonio.
- Allowing just three earned runs in his impressive start, Cline lowered his season ERA a full three runs, from 10.45 to 7.38.
- The Chaparrals had just two hits in their 11 chances with runners on base for a .182 batting average in those situations.
NEXT UP:
Lubbock Christian will look to right the ship against their next opponent, UT Dallas. The Chaps will host them for four games next weekend at Hays Field, starting the series at 4 p.m. on Friday.
