HOBBS, N.M. – The Louisiana Christian University baseball team rallied back after taking a tough game one loss to build up a five-run lead and hold on for the win in a doubleheader split with the University of the Southwest Mustangs, dropping game one 3-0 before taking game two 7-6, Friday afternoon at Jake Williams Field.
Game 1 - Louisiana Christian 0, Southwest 3
While the Wildcats struggled to get hits in the opener, they would not be short on base runners and opportunities. LCU loaded the bases in both the second and sixth innings but could not force the runs home. USW did all the scoring in the contest, scoring one in the bottom of the first and two in the bottom of the third to account for all the scoring. LCU got two base runners on in the top of the seventh to bring the tying run to the plate, but a ground out ended the inning and the game.
Keelyn Johnson was most of the offense in game one, going two-for-two with a walk and a hit by pitch.
Beau Freeman went one-for-three to account for all three of the Wildcats' base hits in the contest. LCU drew seven walks in the contest and two batters were hit by pitch during the contest.
Cortlynn Ramirez (6-2) threw 3.1 innings and gave up six hits and three runs, all earned, walked two and struck out two as well.
Rett Bowman threw the final 2.2 innings and gave up two hits and no runs with two walks and two strikeouts.
Game 2 – Louisiana Christian 7, Southwest 6
Game two got off to a much better offensive start with a mini rally with two outs. After the first two batters got out,
Keelyn Johnson moved to three-for-three on the day as he dropped a base hit into left field. Up next was the team's home run leader on the season, and
Ju'Juan Franklin didn't let this opportunity go by as he cranked a pitch over the left field wall for a two-run dinger to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead. That's where the score stood after LCU got the Mustangs up and down in order in the bottom of the frame to complete the first inning.
USW pulled one back in the bottom of the second inning and that's the way the game would remain all the way through the end of the fifth inning. In the sixth, LCU opened the advantage a bit, and it all started with the same combination that provided the first two runs.
Keelyn Johnson led off the inning with a base on balls.
Ju'Juan Franklin followed with a double to the left field wall and Johnson raced all the way around to the plate to get the run back. Now with 2 outs and Franklin standing on third,
Dylan David came up with a base hit to right, allowing Franklin to trot home to make it 4-1. The Mustangs got one back in the bottom half to make it 4-2 LCU when the inning ended.
The Wildcats got some much-needed insurance in the eighth inning. After leading off the inning with a double,
Nicolas Ramos was standing at third base with two outs when
Nicklaus Stein dropped a base hit into center, allowing Ramos to touch home. A hit but pitch and base on balls loaded the bases for
Alex Ashby, and Ashby made the Mustangs pay by driving a base hit into left field, scoring Stein and
Dru Scully for a 7-2 Wildcat lead when the top of the inning ended. Every one of those runs was needed as USW answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 7-6 LCU before the final out was recorded to end the frame.
After LCU went up and down in order in the top of the ninth, pitching and defense held up as a strikeout and two ground balls to second base got the meat of the Mustang order in order to end the game and secure the win.
Ju'Juan Franklin went two-for-five with a double and his team-leading eighth home run of the season, knocking in three runs and scoring twice.
Nicklaus Stein went two-for-four with a RBI and a run scored.
Keelyn Johnson went one-for-three with a walk, was hit by pitch, and scored twice.
Alex Ashby went one-for-four, but that one hit drove in two key runs.
Adrian Aguilar and
Nicolas Ramos each had doubles with Ramos scoring once. As a team, the Wildcats had four extra base hits in game two, three doubles and a homer.
Brooks Southall (6-1) threw the first five innings and gave up five hits and one run, which was earned, walked five and struck out four.
Beau Hebert threw 2.2 innings of middle relief and gave up four hits and five runs, three earned, walked two and struck out three.
Colten Newsom came on with two outs in the bottom of the eighth and finished out the game, allowing one hit and no runs with one walk and one strikeout to collect his team-leading fourth save of the season.
With the series now even at one game apiece and the season turning into its final month, the rubber game of this key three-game set between the Wildcats (20-10, 13-7 RRAC) and Mustangs (29-9, 15-5 RRAC) is set for 11:00 A.M. MDT, 12:00 P.M. CDT at Jake Williams Field.
