LUBBOCK, Texas (March 13, 2026) — Lubbock Christian University held on for 8–7 victory in the series-opener against Texas A&M International on Friday at Hays Field. 

The Chaparrals rallied with a five-run fourth inning, highlighted by a home run from Johnny Gomez III. Despite a late push from the Dustdevils in the seventh inning, scoring five runs, the Chaps' pitching held firm to preserve the win.

Texas A&M International initially took the lead in the second inning, scoring a pair against Chap starter Dakota McCaskill. Jesus Sosa singled up the middle, driving in two runs before being thrown out at second as the Dustdevils took the early lead. 

In the fourth inning, the Chaparrals' offense ignited. Owen Alsup singled to center, setting the stage for Jorge De Los Santos and Carlos Mauldin, who each singled, with Mauldin driving in Alsup. Johnny Gomez III then crushed a three-run homer to left field that gave LCU the lead. Dylan Marx scored on a wild pitch later in the inning.

The Chaps extended their lead in the fifth inning. De Los Santos doubled and scored on a single by Gomez. Tanner Pachorek followed with an RBI single. One more insurance run was added in the bottom of the sixth after Hudson Grace worked a one-out walk and scored on a single by Forrest. 

That run ended up incredibly important, as the seventh inning saw the Dustdevils rally to cut the Chaparrals' lead to just a single run as McCaskill's day ended. Saul Soto's triple off Chaparral reliever Kyle England to right center cleared the bases, bringing in three runs. 

England worked a scoreless eighth though, and Isaiah Gonzalez came in and slammed the door in the ninth to complete the Chaparral win. 

McCaskill settled in after the early two runs, allowing four earned runs on three hits while striking out one and walking two. He threw 86 pitches overall in the game with 52 of them for strikes. And the scoreless ninth from Gonzlez gave him his first save in a Chaparral uniform. 

GAME NOTES:
- The Gomez homer was the 27th of the season for the Chaps, who rank second in the conference in that category. The five by Gomez are tied for sixth most by an LSC individual
- LCU's three pitchers combined to allow just one leadoff baserunner to reach, holding the Dustdevils to a .111 on base percentage in those scenarios
- McCaskill's 6 1/3 innings of work are a new career high, surpassing the career high of four innings set last week against Angelo State
- Pachorek had the first three-hit game of his LCU career, and De Los Santos recorded his second
- Mauldin returned to the Chaparral lineup after more than a month with an RBI single and a run scored. He has a hit in every game he's played this season

NEXT UP: 
The Chaps will look to continue their momentum on Saturday when they host the Dustdevils for a doubleheader at Hays Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.