Box Score

LUBBOCK, Texas – Lubbock Christian University pounded out 23 hits in a 26-8 victory over McMurry University Wednesday afternoon at Hays Field. McMurry dropped to 1-6 on the season after suffering six errors on defense and the team allowed LCU to score eight runs in an inning twice.

The 26 runs marks the second time this season that McMurry has given up more than 20 runs in a game; that hasn't happened since the school brought back baseball in 1996. The Chaparrals scored eight runs in the first and eight runs in the sixth to help breeze past their opponent and move to 9-5 on the season.

McMurry suffered four of its six errors in the bottom of the first and LCU took advantage to start the game with an 8-0 advantage. McMurry responded in the top half of the second inning with five runs on five hits including a 2-run single for Greg Guse and a 2-run double by Michael Falcone.

However, LCU didn't let off the gas. The Chaps scored a run in the second, two in the fourth, and six in the fifth before adding insult to injury with eight more in the sixth. Guse drove home two more runs for McMurry with a sacrifice fly in the sixth and an RBI single in the eighth. Ryan Slaughter scored on a passed ball for McMurry's last run in the eighth making the score 25-8. LCU struck again in the eighth when Rafael Thomas scored on Brett Kazmierski's sacrifice fly.

Catcher Joe Staley homered twice and drove in six runs for LCU while David Cruz had three RBI's for the Chaps. Richard Bohlken, Reid Chenworth and Marc Gomez had two RBI's apiece. Every player in the starting lineup for LCU had at least one hit and scored at least one run.

Guse finished 2 for 3 with four RBI's and Falcone drove in two runs on three hits. Dylan De Leon picked up the loss for McMurry in his first start of the season on the mound. He allowed 11 runs, five of which were earned, walked three and struck out one in three innings of work. From there, six McMurry pitchers came in relief and all gave up at least a run except for Paul Gonzales who picked up three straight outs in the eighth.

LCU's Scott Hunter was credited with the win to move to 2-1 on the season. He pitched the fifth and sixth innings for the Chaps while LCU used seven pitchers on the day.

McMurry's 1-6 start matches the slowest beginning in school history. The 2002 squad began the year 1-6 before finishing 21-19 for the season. McMurry will try to rebound wit a three-game set Friday and Saturday with LeTourneau in Longview.