Lubbock Christian flexes muscle against UTB-TSC
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College held down Lubbock Christian for three innings before the Chaparrals broke out the bats and cruised to a 11-3 victory Friday at Scorpion Field.
Friday's game was the season opener for the Chaparrals, who are ranked fifth in the nation by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The Scorpions are now 1-4.
"Our effort wasn't too great. The biggest difference was where we made mistakes on the mound, they took advantage of it," Scorpions coach Bryan Aughney said. "When their pitchers gave us some opportunities, we couldn't capitalize."
The two teams meet in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday at Scorpion Field, then wrap up the four-game series with a game at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Aughney is hopeful the Scorpions can play better against LCU.
"We have to come and compete for seven innings," Aughney said. "We'll worry about the second game when we get there. We've got to get better offensively and take advantage of mistakes when they are presented us, and try to get some runs early."
The Chaps, who collected 13 hits, including two homers, struck for four runs in the third inning, three in the fifth and two each in the sixth and seventh.
Scorpions pitcher Julian Moya stopped LCU for three innings. Ross Blondin's two-run homer broke open the scoreless game.
Moya lasted until the fifth inning, also surrendering a solo homer to Will Stramp in the fourth. Moya allowed four earned runs and six hits. He recorded eight strikeouts, bringing his season total to 20 in 10 1/3 innings of work.
The Scorpions scored one run in the fourth on a double by Jacob Yousif, who then scored on a single by Matt Warner. Yousif also tripled home a run in the sixth.
Scorpions reliever Jesus Mendoza, who relieved Moya in the fifth, allowed four earned runs and six hits. He struck out six, giving the Scorpions a total of 14 strikeouts.
LCU pitchers Tanner Vickers, Charlie Aceto and Shane Karnbach combined to allow only four hits and strike out 13 Scorpions players.
