SAN ANGELO, Texas (May 7, 2026) – Aaron Rubio tossed the first complete-game shutout by a Chap this season as Lubbock Christian University split Saturday's doubleheader with a 6-1 loss and a 4-0 win against No. 13 Angelo State at Foster Field.
 
Karson Dunn suffered the loss in the first game of the day as LCU's offense was stymied by Ryan Cook, but Rubio returned the favor by limiting the Rams to just three hits while striking out seven in the second game of the day.
 
The Chaps are now 9-12 on the season, while the Rams are 16-5 on the year.
 
GAME ONE
ASU took the lead in the second inning when Brett Smajstrla scored on a single by Garrett Wallace. The score was 1-0 after the second inning.
 
The Chaparrals tied the game in the top of the third inning. Hudson Grace singled and was driven in by Owen Alsup's double to right center. However, ASU quickly responded in their half of the inning with three runs to take the lead for good. Chase Pendley scored on a double by Payton Bush, who then came home on a double from Brett Smajstrla. Smajstrla later scored an unearned run, making it 4-1 through three innings.
 
In the fourth inning, the Rams extended their lead to 5-1. Blake Wilhoite scored on a sacrifice fly by Chase Pendley. The score remained 5-1 after four innings.
 
ASU added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Gamaliel Jones walked, advanced to third on an error, and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Blake Wilhoite.
 
The Chaps finished the game with seven hits, four of which were doubles, but were unable to come back as they struggled to hit with runners on base, and ASU closed out the 6-1 with only Cook used on the mound.
 
GAME TWO
It was LCU's turn for a dominant pitching performance in game two. The righty gave up a leadoff single in the first, but struck out the next two batters and got out of the inning without any damage done.
 
In the second inning, the Chaps gave him the lead when Jorge De Los Santos singled and later scored on a wild pitch. De Los Santos was again in the mix in the third when LCU scored its second run of the day, as he singled to drive in Owen Alsup, who had led off the inning with a walk.
 
Blake Wilhoite had his second hit against Rubio in the third, but he was the only one getting them against Rubio, who stranded the baserunner at first with a flyout. The Chap offense responded with another two runs in the fifth, when Hudson Grace doubled and scored on Aslup's homer.
 
The four runs were more than enough for Rubio, who did not allow another hit until the bottom of the seventh. Tate Greene led off with a double and Rubio then issued his first and only walk of the day. But he sat down the next three batters in order, including a strikeout of Gamaliel Jones, to complete the solo shutout.
 
Rubio faced 28 batters, throwing 96 pitches with 67 strikes, and maintained a WHIP of 0.57, a testament to his control and command throughout the game. His effort contributed to his record improving to 3-1 for the season.
 
GAME NOTES:

• Rubio has pitched at least six innings in each of his last three starts, allowing just three earned runs in those 20 innings of work. His 2.97 ERA is the fifth-best among qualified LSC pitchers
• LCU's last shutout was on April 18, 2025 against Cameron, also by a score of 4-0. The last complete-game shutout by a Chap came from Ryan Markwardt, who allowed just two hits against Texas A&M International on March 15, 2025
• The Chaps hit just .105 with runners in scoring position in the two games combined, including an 0-for-10 showing in the loss
• Alsup had a pair of hits in both games and is now leading the team with a .417 batting average
• The home run by Alsup in game two was the 22^nd of the season by a Chaparral, which is the second-most in the Lone Star Conference
• LCU hitters have struck out 168 times this season, which is tied for the most in the conference

 
NEXT UP:
Lubbock Christian will try and salvage a series split when they take on the Rams one more time at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Foster Field.