Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
LUBBOCK, Texas — No. 9 St. Mary's Baseball couldn't keep No. 20 Lubbock Christian's high-powered offense at bay Friday, dropping the doubleheader 10-6 and 7-5.
It marks the first series the Rattlers have dropped this season, though St. Mary's (22-10, 9-5 Heartland Conference) can still take a game off LCU in tomorrow's series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Lubbock, Texas.
After falling behind 3-0 in the second inning of Game 1, St. Mary's took a brief 4-3 lead in the fourth.
Brooks Orton and
Drake Roberts each had RBI singles in the third, while
Keith Funk's 2-RBI single put the Rattlers up in the fourth.
But Lubbock Christian (22-8) quick rallied back, scoring five in the bottom of the fourth for an 8-4 lead that St. Mary's could not overcome.
Orton was 2 for 4 with two runs scored in the game, while
Joe Hermsen also had a multi-hit game with a 2-for-2 afternoon.
In Game 2, Roberts had a hot bat with a 2-for-5 outing that included two runs scored, while
Scott Jones went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.
After a tight, low-scoring battle early, Lubbock Christian broke open a 1-1 game with a three-run fourth inning. Much like they did in Game 1, the Rattlers hurried back, tying the game at 4-4 with a two-run sixth inning. But the Chaps scored three in the bottom of the frame to create a 7-4 lead that St. Mary's again could not overcome.
Matt McClain struck out seven but surrendered 13 hits in the Game 2 defeat. Reliever
Garrett McKenzie fanned four in 2 2/3 innings of relief.
Orton totaled two stolen bases on the day.
With the losses, St. Mary's fell into a first-place tie with St. Edward's. Oklahoma Christian also has five conference losses, but is a provisional member and is ineligible for tournament competition. Lubbock Christian leads the Heartland standings but also is not eligible for postseason play or the conference championship due to its provisional status.
