No.6 Angelo State used another comeback in the series, this time with a two-run eighth inning, to defeat No.8 Lubbock Christian University 4-3 and completing a three-game sweep Sunday afternoon at Foster Field.

LCU had rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a Brandon Urquizo two-out RBI single in the sixth inning and then a two-run eighth inning. After a pair of errors by the Rams, Brandon Urquizo hit a RBI-double to score Brent Stewart to tie the game 2-2 in the eighth inning. Josh Narvaiz grounded out to score Chase Simmons from third base for the first out of the inning, but LCU was unable to add to the 3-2 lead, as Urquizo was left stranded.

It turned out to be costly, as the Rams led off the bottom of the eighth inning by loading the bases with their first three batters. LCU nearly avoided the crisis, getting a force out (fielder’s choice) at home and a pop up to shallow centerfield, but Nick Hooper walked Nick Novak with the bases loaded to tie the game at 3-3 and Jonathan Soberanes followed with a two-out RBI bunt to take the the 4-3 lead.

ASU closer Joe Hauser retired the Chaps in order in the ninth inning to claim his third save of the season. He followed Ryan Smith, who claimed the win (2-0) allowing three runs (one earned) off four hits in 3.1 innings. ASU starting pitcher, Shane Browning, went 4.2 innings and did not allow a run off four hits while striking out seven batters.

Russell Reber started for LCU and allowed two runs off five hits in six innings. He was able to force ASU into 10 groundouts in the game. Hooper suffered the loss and fell to 0-1.

Urquizo led LCU in the game at the pate with a 2-for-4 performance with a pair of RBI. Soberanes led ASU with a 3-for-5 plate performance.

ASU extended their season win streak to eight games and are 8-1 this season. The win was their fifth straight all-time win over the Chaps and they complete a sweep over the Chaps at Foster Field for a second straight series in San Angelo. LCU lost two of the three games by one run and had the lead in the eighth inning in the two one-run losses. LCU falls to 7-4 on the season. The have lost three straight games and four of their last five games.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

.111 | ASU was 1-for-9 in the series when batting with the bases loaded. They were 1-for-6 Sunday, with the one hit coming by Soberanes and resulting in the winning run.

.185 | Teams combined for .185 in hitting with runners in scoring position Sunday, as LCU was 2-for-14 and ASU was 3-for-13.

.370 | ASU produced 37 hits in the series, with 30 singles.

.500 | Caleb Koedyker led LCU in the series going 7-for-14 with three home runs, eight RBI and a 1.214 sluggin mark.

.640 | After getting 5-of-8 leadoff batters aboard base Sunday, ASU completed the series 16-of-25 (.640) in getting the leadoff batter aboard.

3 | ASU had three of their four runs Sunday with two-outs and finished the series with a 9-2 advantage in two-out RBI. Brandon Urquizo had both of LCU’s two-out RBI in the series.

10 | Ten different Rams had at least one RBI in the series.

14 | LCU’s pitchers were able to force ASU into 14 groundouts Sunday.

34 | ASU stranded 34 runners on base in the series.

NEXT UP

The Chaps head to Canyon, Texas Tuesday for a 5 p.m. first pitch against West Texas A&M. WT heads into the contest 9-0 on the season after three-game series sweeps of New Mexico Highlands, Northwestern Oklahoma State and Oklahoma Panhandle State.

(Courtesy LCU Sports Information Department)