TYLER, Texas (May 7, 2026) — Lubbock Christian University took an early lead but could not maintain offensive momentum in a 6-3 loss to No. 6 UT Tyler at the Lone Star Conference Tournament.
The Chaparrals managed four hits and scored in three separate innings, but it was not enough to overcome the Patriots' 10-hit performance.
LCU got on the board first in the game and did so quickly.
Kyle Lewis walked to lead off the game, advanced to second on a groundout and then scored when he stole third and forced an error by the catcher. However, UTT responded with a solo home run by Brock Bearden and added two more runs through a series of hits and a double, taking a 3–1 lead after the first inning.
In the fourth inning,
Hudson Grace broke up the UTT no-hitter and advanced to third on a single by
Owen Alsup. Grace then scored on a wild pitch, narrowing the gap to just a run at the mid-point of the game.
UT Tyler extended its lead in the fifth inning. Kaston Mason doubled, and an error allowed him to score. A subsequent single brought in another unearned run, making it 5–2 before right-handed pitcher
Caden Cline was called out of the bullpen and finished the inning.
The Chaps got one of the runs back in the sixth, again taking advantage of the speed of Lewis. He and
Hudson Grace both singled to start the inning, and the pair worked a double steal to score a run.
Cline kept Lubbock Christian in the game as he sat the Patriots down in order in both the sixth and seventh innings, but a leadoff walk in the eighth allowed the home team to add an insurance run. LCU went down in order in the ninth to end the game.
Bryce Nall started on the mound for the Chaps, pitching two innings while allowing six hits, three earned runs, and two walks.
Dakota McCaskill relieved Nall, pitching 2 2/3 innings, giving up three hits and two runs, while hitting two batters and walking one. Cline provided solid relief, pitching 3 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit and one earned run, while striking out one and walking one on 35 pitches, 23 of which were strikes.
GAME NOTES:
- Despite scoring three times, no Chap had an RBI in the game. It is the first time this season they finished a game without an RBI. The last time they did so was 5/9/25, also in the LSC Tournament.
- The Patriots committed three errors in the game, as the Chaps fell to 13–4 in games where their opponent committed two or more errors.
- With a single in the top of the fourth, Chaps first baseman
Owen Alsup stretched his reached base streak to 20 games.
- The Chaparrals struck out 14 times in the game, which is their second-most in a single contest this season.
- Lubbock Christian falls to 8–20 all-time against Texas-Tyler and has not beaten UTT since Feb. 18, 2024.
NEXT UP:
Lubbock Christian now falls to the loser's bracket, where they will take on St. Mary's at 11 a.m. at Irwin Field. The Rattlers lost their first round game to Angelo State 3-2 despite throwing a combined no-hitter.
