AUSTIN, Texas – Down to their final at-bat in the first game of a doubleheader, the Wildcats of Louisiana Christian University rallied for 11 runs and completely changed the trajectory of the afternoon as they swept two games at Huston-Tillotson.
Trailing 5-1 headed into the seventh and final scheduled inning of the opening game, the Wildcats took advantage of the wildness of HT's relief pitchers as LCU plated 11 runs on only two hits en route to the team's 12-5 victory. LCU won the second game 13-2.
Nick Lorio drove in eight RBIs for the Wildcats (21-7, 14-3 RRAC). He started the game one rally by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the seventh – one of three in the inning – and then capped the rally with a grand slam to give him five RBIs in the frame. He added three RBIs in game two.
The Wildcats, who received votes in the latest NAIA Baseball Top 25 poll, maintained their share of first place in the Red River Athletic Conference with the pair of victories Friday. LCU is tied atop the RRAC standings with No. 4-ranked LSU–Shreveport.
Nicklaus Stein's bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning of the opening contest proved to be the game-winning RBI.
Adrian Aguilar added a two-RBI single in the inning as part of a 2-for-3 showing at the plate in the opener.
Chase Gardner pitched four innings of relief in the first game and ended up with the victory, his first of the season. He struck out six batters while scattering six hits and allowing only a single earned run.
LCU's seventh-inning outburst included seven walks and two hit batsmen in the frame.
In game two, the Wildcats spread their offense over the course of the game and gave
Beau Hebert more than enough run support to pick up the win. Hebert struck out nine batters over eight innings and improved his season record to 8-0; neither of HT's runs in game two were earned.
Lorio was joined by Aguilar,
Drake Angeron,
Peyton Lamartiniere, and
Nicholas Brunet with three-hit games in the second contest. Lamartiniere knocked in two runs while Angeron scored three times in the game.
The Wildcats conclude their three-game series with the Rams on Saturday, March 25, at the venerable Downs Field in east Austin. First pitch is scheduled for noon Saturday.
– LCU –
