Lubbock Christian University Athletics

AUSTIN, Texas (May 2, 2026) — Lubbock Christian run-ruled St. Edwards 10-0 in eight innings on Saturday at Lucian-Hamilton Field, taking a 1-0 lead in the first round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

The Chaparrals broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning, followed by three-run bursts in the seventh and eighth innings. The team combined for three home runs, while Aaron Rubio pitched seven shutout innings while allowing just four hits. 

It was a pitcher's duel and a fast-moving one at that through the first half of the game. LCU's first baserunner did not come until the top of the third, when Chase Ditmar singled and Freddie Nolen followed with a walk, but both runners were stranded. SEU had baserunners in each of the first three frames, but were similarly kept of the scoreboard by Rubio.

The Hilltoppers got their leadoff batter on in the bottom of the fifth, but Jorge De Los Santos caught the baserunner stealing with one out, and Rubio induced a popout to keep the game knotted at zero. 

He was rewarded with a lead  when Kyle Lewis hit the first pitch he saw for a solo home run to left field. Jorge de los Santos followed with a walk, advanced on an error and later scored on Ryan Gargett's RBI single. Carlos Mauldin capped the inning with a two-run homer, putting the Chaparrals ahead 4-0 through six innings.

The offensive momentum continued in the seventh inning, with Nolen doubling and scoring on a wild pitch. Hudson Grace then doubled, allowing Lewis to score again, followed by de los Santos grounding out for an RBI to make the score 7-0. 

The Chaps added three more runs in the eighth. Gargett led off with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Aaron Morales. Mauldin followed with a walk, setting the stage for a homer from Chase Ditmar that made the lead double-digits. 

Tyler Sudderth came in to try and close out the run-rule win, and allowed a pair of baserunners, but hung a zero anyways, thanks in large part due to Nolen's game-ending, diving catch in left field. 

Rubio struck out four batters while issuing just one walk, throwing 95 pitches in his third shutout of the season. 

GAME NOTES:
- The Chaps are now 17-9 in their six appearances at the Lone Star Conference Tournament, including 10-3 in first round games.
- Ditmar's three-run home run was his first of the season, making him the 14th different LCU player to hit a round-tripper this year.
- The five earned runs scored by the Chaparrals against Hilltoppers starter Connor Freeman are the second-most he has allowed in a game this season and the most since Feb. 28 against UT Tyler.
- Rubio was the winning pitcher for the ninth time this season, tying him for the Lone Star Conference lead in that category.

NEXT UP: 
Lubbock Christian will try and close out the best-of-three series against the Hilltoppers on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Lucian Hamilton Field.