PINEVILLE – Louisiana Christian University's baseball team took sole possession of first place in the Red River Athletic Conference with a three-game weekend sweep of Texas College.
 
The Wildcats (17-6, 10-2 RRAC) swept Saturday's doubleheader from the visiting Steers by scores of 20-8 and 19-0. Texas College forfeited the final game of the series, which had been moved from Friday, March 10 due to inclement weather.
 
GAME ONE: 'Cats 20, Texas College 8
An 11-run fourth inning proved to be the difference in Saturday's opener as the Wildcats cruised onward from that point. In a game scheduled for seven innings, the 'Cats scored in five of the innings in which they batted.
 
The 'Cats got six RBIs from the No. 6 spot in the batting order, as Nick Lorio drove in three runs on a pair of RBI singles in the third and fourth innings. In the sixth inning, senior Eddie Baez launched a pinch-hit, three-run homerun over the left-centerfield fence that scored Jett Aubé and Haydon Helms; it was Baez' first collegiate homerun for LCU.
 
Drake Angeron knocked his second homerun of the season for the 'Cats during their big fourth inning, a two-run shot that also scored Adrian Aguilar. Nicholas Brunet and Braxton Cooksey also recorded two RBIs in the contest.
 
Aguilar, Ju'Juan Franklin, and Nick Moreau all had two hits and RBI in the game.
 
Dylan Beier picked up the win in relief for the 'Cats; the lefthander improved to 3-0 with the victory.
 
GAME TWO: 'Cats 19, Texas College 0
The 'Cats jumped out to a 7-0 lead after one inning of play and never looked back as they secured the doubleheader sweep.
 
Brunet led the way for the Wildcats by going 4-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs, followed by Aguilar's 3-for-3 showing with three RBIs. Jonathan Soto Larrion went 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the game.
 
After his homerun in the opening game, Baez was inserted into the starting lineup for game two. He added a two-RBI double during LCU's seven-run first inning. His double was immediate followed by a two-RBI double from Soto.
 
Another highlight of LCU's scoring outburst was senior pitcher Colten Newsom making his first collegiate plate appearance in the fifth inning. He took advantage of the opportunity, delivering a pinch-hit single through the right side that scored teammate Dawson Lebauve. Newsom later scored on a double from Dylan David and returned to a delighted LCU dugout.
 
Beau Hebert improved to 6-0 with the victory on the mound. He struck out four batters and allowed only one of Texas College's three hits in the game. Chase Gardner and Colton Williams each struck out three batters, while Blake Windham struck out two during his seventh-inning appearance.
 
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats host a big RRAC weekend series beginning Friday when they welcome Our Lady of the Lake to Billy Allgood Field. The Saints (17-10) are tied for second place with LSU–Shreveport in the conference standings with identical 9-3 league records, a game behind the Wildcats.
 
First pitch Friday, March 17 is scheduled for 6 p.m., with a doubleheader scheduled for a Saturday noon start.

– LCU –