LCU Sweeps Friday Doubleheader with Arizona Christian

Ryan Meade went 4-for-4 and matched a program single-game record with three doubles in the opening game, and Mike Marshall pitched a three-hit complete game shutout in the nightcap, as No.18 Lubbock Christian University swept a doubleheader against Arizona Christian University 18-6 and 5-0 Friday at Hays Field.

Meade’s team-leading 16th multi-hit game of the season marked one of five multi-hit performances by the Chaparrals in the opening game. The offense for LCU got going in the second inning with Richard Bohlken leading off with a triple. It was the first of five hits, including a two-out RBI single from Ryan Burnaman and Nate Peterson before Meade scored a pair with his first double of the game. The Firestorm came right back, leading off the top of the third inning with four straight singles to score the first ACU run and to load the bases with no outs. Nick Covyeau was walked with the bases loaded, David Coronado grounded out to score a run and David Madgrigal tied the game at 5-5 with a two-run single to centerfield. It did not take long for LCU to regain the lead, as in the bottom of the third inning, Bohlken led off the inning with an inside-the-park home run on a ball hit off the wall in left centerfield. The Chaps ended up sending 15 batters to the plate in the inning. Burnaman hit a bases-loaded double to score a trio of runs, and it was the first of four straight run producing hits for the Chaps. Karl Seiter hit a two-run double and David Cruz followed with a triple and was granted home after the relay to third ended up in the Chaps dugout to bring a close to the scoring in the 11-run inning for the Chaps. LCU added to the lead in the fourth inning with Mike Marshall following a wild pitch, which allowed Brett Morte to score from third base, with an RBI-single up the middle to give LCU an 18-5 lead. Madrigal added a run for ACU in the fifth inning with a two-out base hit to score a run, but it was not enough to dodge the run-rule.

Along with Meade’s first four-hit game of the season, LCU received a multi-hit game from Bohlken (2-for-3), Burnaman (2-for-4), Cruz (2-for-4), Marshall (2-for-4) and Peterson (3-for-3). Meade’s three doubles matched a program single-game record, which has been completed 15 times now. Burnaman produced a season-high four RBI in the win. LCU recorded 17 hits in the game, with 13 coming against starting pitcher Jordan Bryson, who allowed 13 runs in 2.1 innings to fall to 3-5 on the season. The Chaps were 14-of-23 in the game with runners in scoring position. Tyler Curtis claimed the win for LCU with five runs allowed on eight hits in five innings. He improved to 4-1 on the year.

Marshall was solid for the Chaps on the mound in the second game. He struck out the side in the top of the first inning and finished with nine strikeouts in the game. Marshall only faced two over the minimum en route to his first complete game shutout of the season. LCU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after Burnaman hit a lead-off double in the bottom of the first inning and scored on a balk called against ACU’s Miles Norton. Cruz hit a two-out double to score a run, and a fielding error on right fielder Max Oullette allowed another run to score for the 3-0 lead. Seiter produced a two-run single in the third inning to extend the lead to 5-0.

Norton suffered the loss, allowing three earned runs off eight hits in the six-inning complete game loss to drop to 2-4. Marshall improved to 5-0. Burnaman went 3-for-3 in the win for LCU. The Firestorm went 0-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position.

The games were the first ever between the Chaps and the first-year Firestorm. The wins improved LCU to 24-8 and they have now won five straight games and seven of the last eight. ACU fell to 14-24 and they have dropped their last four contests. The two teams will play another doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. at Hays Field.

Report filed by Chris Due