< Marshall Tosses Chaps to Another Series Win
June 2, 2011
By: Kelly Robinson, Duster Advisor
The Chaps got another stellar pitching performance from lefthander Lucas Whitmore, who allowed just one run on nine hits. His outing, however, paled in comparison to Lee starter Shay Crawford's one-hitter that he managed to toss against the Chaps. The lone hit of the game for LCU was a fifth inning single by third baseman David Cruz.
Despite the lack of hits, though, the Chaps had several opportunities to score during the game, but Crawford never gave in and LCU now faces a one and done situation if they are to claim the third national title in school history.
"You've got to give Shay credit tonight, he was outstanding and we knew he would be," said Chap head coach Nathan Blackwood. "We had some chances, but he did a good job all night and we weren't able to get the key hit when we needed it. I really feel bad for Lucas. He pitched really well again and gave us a chance to win the game."
The Chaps will now face the Flames again tonight (9:00 pm CST) and the winner of that contest will go on to the national title game on Friday night where they will face the Concordia (CA) Eagles in another 9:00 pm contest. All three teams now have one loss in the double-elimination tournament so for the loser tonight a third place finish is the best they can do.
"We've got to come out and get started early in the next game," said LCU second baseman Richard Bohlken. "We just need to focus on what we do best and take care of what we know how to do."
Blackwood wasn't sure immediately after the game as to whom the Chaps would send to the mound againt Lee in the game tonight. Candidates abound, though, as Whitmore's complete game outing on the heels of a complete game shutout victory (3-0 over LSU-Shreveport on Tuesday) by Mike Marshall has the remainder of the pitching staff rested and ready to go.
Marshall, by the way, came on in the ninth inning against Lee to pinch hit, hobbling to the plate with his broken foot, and delivered one of the most well hit balls of the night off of Crawford. The liner to left center was snagged just before it reached the ground, however, for the final out of the game.
LCU and Lee will be seeking to move on to the championship contest against a Concordia team that defeated LSU-Shreveport 8-4 earlier in the day on Wednesday. Because of a strange tournament tiebreaker procedure the Eagles advance to the title game while Lee and LCU battle for the other spot in that contest.
"Lubbock really has the argument as far as I'm concerned," Lee head coach Mark Brew told reporters after the game. "It's not Lee, it's not Concordia - Lubbock was 3-0 and they probably deserve that bye (to the title game). But it's the way the rules are written up, and I guess we'll play by them - and us and Lubbock will play (tonight)."
His sentiments, obviously, aren't lost on the Chaps, but in simple terms two more wins gives LCU a national title and the focus needs to be on that prospect.
"We've just got to do a better job of putting the ball in play," said Blackwood, continuing "... and our guys know that."
The game tonight will air locally in Lubbock on KKAM Sports Radio 1340 AM “The Fan,” and online at www.lcuchaps.com. The NAIA is providing online video services at www.watchnaia.com.
June 2, 2011
By: Kelly Robinson, Duster Advisor
Chaps Fall in Heartbreaker to Lee, Rematch Set Tonight
Lewiston, ID - In what proved to be an outstanding pitcher's duel here Wednesday night the Lubbock Christian University baseball team suffered its first loss in the Avista-NAIA World Series as they fell to Lee University (TN) 1-0.
Lucas Whitmore was outstanding for the Chaps despite losing a 1-0 contest to Lee University.
Despite the lack of hits, though, the Chaps had several opportunities to score during the game, but Crawford never gave in and LCU now faces a one and done situation if they are to claim the third national title in school history.
"You've got to give Shay credit tonight, he was outstanding and we knew he would be," said Chap head coach Nathan Blackwood. "We had some chances, but he did a good job all night and we weren't able to get the key hit when we needed it. I really feel bad for Lucas. He pitched really well again and gave us a chance to win the game."
The Chaps will now face the Flames again tonight (9:00 pm CST) and the winner of that contest will go on to the national title game on Friday night where they will face the Concordia (CA) Eagles in another 9:00 pm contest. All three teams now have one loss in the double-elimination tournament so for the loser tonight a third place finish is the best they can do.
"We've got to come out and get started early in the next game," said LCU second baseman Richard Bohlken. "We just need to focus on what we do best and take care of what we know how to do."
Blackwood wasn't sure immediately after the game as to whom the Chaps would send to the mound againt Lee in the game tonight. Candidates abound, though, as Whitmore's complete game outing on the heels of a complete game shutout victory (3-0 over LSU-Shreveport on Tuesday) by Mike Marshall has the remainder of the pitching staff rested and ready to go.
Marshall, by the way, came on in the ninth inning against Lee to pinch hit, hobbling to the plate with his broken foot, and delivered one of the most well hit balls of the night off of Crawford. The liner to left center was snagged just before it reached the ground, however, for the final out of the game.
LCU and Lee will be seeking to move on to the championship contest against a Concordia team that defeated LSU-Shreveport 8-4 earlier in the day on Wednesday. Because of a strange tournament tiebreaker procedure the Eagles advance to the title game while Lee and LCU battle for the other spot in that contest.
"Lubbock really has the argument as far as I'm concerned," Lee head coach Mark Brew told reporters after the game. "It's not Lee, it's not Concordia - Lubbock was 3-0 and they probably deserve that bye (to the title game). But it's the way the rules are written up, and I guess we'll play by them - and us and Lubbock will play (tonight)."
His sentiments, obviously, aren't lost on the Chaps, but in simple terms two more wins gives LCU a national title and the focus needs to be on that prospect.
"We've just got to do a better job of putting the ball in play," said Blackwood, continuing "... and our guys know that."
The game tonight will air locally in Lubbock on KKAM Sports Radio 1340 AM “The Fan,” and online at www.lcuchaps.com. The NAIA is providing online video services at www.watchnaia.com.
