UTB-TSC Capsules: Chaparrals hit five more homers in 15-1 win over Scorpions

Fifth-ranked Lubbock Christian hit five home runs during a 15-1 victory over the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College on Sunday at Scorpion Field.

LCU, which started its 2009 season in Brownsville, is now 4-0. Last year, the Chaparrals were 53-4 and finished the regular season as the top-ranked team in NAIA.

Scorpions coach Bryan Aughney said playing tough teams will help make his team tougher.

"Our goal every year is to go out and compete for a championship," Aughney said. "They are one of the top teams in the country, and if you want to go the championship that's where you've got to be. There's no sense beating up on bad teams, you don't get any better doing that."

After two scoreless innings, the Chaparrals scored one run in the third, six in the fourth, one in the fifth, and four in the sixth.

Rob Learned hit three home runs, a solo homer in the fifth, and two-run homers in the sixth and seven innings, driving in five runs. Armando Dominguez and Tanner Rindels each hit solo homers in the fifth. The Chaps collected 14 hits off three Scorpions pitchers.

"When we get the bases loaded with nobody out, we have to score runs," Aughney said. "Certainly you can't strike out three times. We're better than that."

The Scorpions got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth when Ryan Macdonald tripled and scored on Jacob Yousif's single. Macdonald had two of the Scorpions' six hits.

UTB-TSC (1-7) will next play against the University of Houston-Victoria (4-4) in a three-game series at Scorpion Field. The two teams meet at 6 p.m. Friday for one game and 1 p.m. Saturday for a doubleheader. 

UTB-TSC golf opens spring play at Texas A&M International

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College men's and women's golf teams open their spring season Monday and Tuesday at the Texas A&M International Spring Invitational in Laredo.

This will be the Scorpions' first tournament since October, and coach Bob Lucio has been preparing the men's and women's teams for this.

"We're extremely motivated," Lucio said. "We're working until sundown every day. ... What we did between semesters is we kind of settled in with the men's teams."

Ten players make up the two teams on the men's side.

"Our team is so young ... we have five freshman on the men's side," Lucio said. "This tournament will be a good indicator on how far we've been coming in our practices."

Adam Haley had the lowest average score for the Scorpions with 72.7 per round.

The Scorpions are beginning preparation fro the Red River Athletic Conference and NAIA national tournaments in April and May, respectively.

"Our women's team is strong," Lucio said. "We have two seniors with a lot of experience who really complement each other very well."

April Martinez had the lowest average score for the Scorpions with 80 per round.

The women's golf team ended the fall season winning the John Bohmann Memorial Invitational title. The men's team finished third in the tournament, hosted by Texas Lutheran.

"We are steadily improving," Lucio said. "We have the toughest region in the country, but that doesn't matter because we have the talent in our team. And I think it's possible to go beyond the conference tournament."