LUBBOCK, Texas (February 6, 2026) — Lubbock Christian University opened the new-look Hays Field with a decisive 12-4 victory over Sul Ross State University on Friday at Hays Field. 

The Chaparrals' offense came back from an early deficit to win, breaking the game open with a five-run sixth inning. The home team collected 13 hits and 12 RBIs, with Kyle Lewis and Johnny Gomez III each contributing significantly to the scoring with home runs. The Lobos managed seven hits, including a home run, but were unable to overcome the Chap offensive outburst.

Lubbock Christian is now 1-3 on the season with their first win of the 2026 season. Sul Ross falls to 0-4. 

The game commenced with the Lobos taking an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning off LCU starter Caden Cline. The Chaps responded in the bottom of the inning as Kyle Lewis doubled to lead off and scored on Carlos Mauldin's RBI single, narrowing the gap to 2-1.

In the second inning, SRSU added a run, but the Chaps surged ahead in the bottom half of the third. After Lewis reached base with a perfectly placed bunt single, Mauldin once again delivered with an RBI single to tie the game. Johnny Gomez III followed with a two-run homer, giving the Chaps a 4-3 lead.

The Lobos added a solo homer in the fourth to tie the game, but the Chaps pushed back ahead in the bottom of the inning. Joe Mancinas doubled and scored on a Dylan Marx single, making it 5-4. 

It stayed a one-run ballgame through the fifth, but the sixth inning saw the Chaps break the game open. Two-out hits from Hudson Grace and Aaron Morales, both off the bench after injuries earlier in the game, drove in four runs, widening the lead to 10-4.

The seventh inning featured another offensive highlight for the Chaps as Lewis hit a two-run homer, his first of the season, boosting the lead to 12-4. 

Aaron Rubio was solid out of the bullpen for the Chaps, keeping the Lobos scoreless through the final innings. The game concluded with the Chaps securing a decisive 12-4 victory over the Lobos.

Cline started for the Chaps, pitching five innings with six hits, four runs, and three earned runs, while striking out six and walking two Rubio took over in relief, delivering four scoreless innings, conceding just one hit and striking out two without issuing any walks. Rubio's efficient performance included 43 pitches with 32 strikes, maintaining control throughout his appearance.

Lewis led the Chaps' offense with three hits, including a home run and a double, and drove in two runs while scoring three times. Morales scored twice and collected two hits, one of which was a triple, contributing two RBIs and a stolen base. Gomez added a home run and tallied two RBIs, finishing with one hit in four at-bats.

GAME NOTES:
- Gomez blasted his third home run of the season in just the fourth game. In 2025, he didn't hit his third homer until the 20th game of the season.
- Morales hit the first triple by a Chap this season as part of a two-hit, two-RBI night against his former team.
- Lubbock native Caden Cline notched the first win of his LCU career and set a new career-high with six strikeouts.
- The Chaps won their home opener for the first time since 2024 and improved to 1,201-367 all-time in home games.
- Rubio's save was the first by a Chap pitcher since Evan Roach pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief against May 3 against West Texas A&M. LCU had just four saves all of last season.

NEXT UP:
Lubbock Christian will be back on the field against the same Lobos at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Hays Field, with Kyle England slated to start the game.