SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Louisiana Christian University baseball team jumped out to an early lead in its series opener against Our Lady of the Lake, but the Saints tied it soon after and one big inning dropped the Wildcats to an 8-3 defeat Friday night at the Missions Baseball Academy.
A big two-out rally in the third inning got the Wildcats out front and seemed to indicate the bats were coming to life. With two away,
Adrian Aguilar and
Alex Ashby both hit singles to get on base for
Keelyn Johnson. Johnson smashed a pitch over the left fielder's head for a double that scored both Aguilar and Ashby for the game's first runs.
Ju'Juan Franklin followed that with a base hit back up the middle to score Johnson and give LCU a 3-0 lead.
That lead lasted an inning as OLLU took advantage of a LCU error in the bottom of the fourth inning to score three runs and tie the game. From that point, the game settled into a defensive affair as both teams put up zeros on the score line, including
Keelyn Johnson hitting a triple to lead off the sixth inning, but was left stranded.
The Saints broke the drought with five runs in the seventh inning to blow the game open, and the Wildcats could not muster a response in the final two innings.
LCU's top-four batters did all the work for the offense, led by
Keelyn Johnson who went two-for-three with a double, a triple, two RBI, a run scored, and was hit by a pitch.
Adrian Aguilar went one-for-five with a run scored.
Alex Ashby was one-for-three with a walk and a run scored.
Ju'Juan Franklin went one-for-four with a RBI.
Branon Pope (1-1) went 1.1 innings of relief and gave up one hit and one run, which was earned, to pick up the decision.
Brooks Southall threw the first five innings and gave up five hits and three runs, two earned, walked one and struck out two.
Beau Hebert threw a third of an inning and gave up one hit and three runs, all earned, with two walks.
Chase Gardner didn't record an out as he allowed two hits and a run, which was earned, with one walk.
Rett Bowman settled things down to close out the game, throwing the final 1.1 innings and didn't allow any hits or runs with one walk.
The Wildcats (14-5, 8-2 RRAC) and Saints (8-14, 5-5 RRAC) complete the series on Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for noon at the Missions Baseball Academy in San Antonio.
