April 27, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - No. 11 Wayland Baptist University (Texas) scored six unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning to pull off a 7-1 upset win over the No. 1 Lubbock Christian University (Texas) Chaparrals Saturday night (April 26) at Hays Field, ending the Chaps school record winning streak at 38 wins.  The loss closes the regular season schedule with the Chaps claiming a 45-2 regular season mark and a 29-1 Sooner Athletic Conference record.

The 38-game winning streak fell three shy of the all-time NAIA record of 41 set by Point Park (Pa.) back in 1990.

The Chaps entered the game leading the NAIA in fielding percentage, but they committed a season high six errors (they had not had more than three in a game prior to the game).  Four errors were committed in the ninth inning, as Wayland scored six runs off of four hits.  The six-run ninth gave the Pioneers just the insurance they needed to aid pitcher Trevor Stringer, who came up an out away from a complete game shutout.

Stringer was on fire tonight for the Pioneers, striking out ten Chaps in 8.2 innings of work and he did not give up an extra-base hit until Ryan Burke hit a double with two outs in the ninth inning.  Marc Gomez followed with a single to score Burke for the Chaps lone run of the game.  LCU had scored at least nine runs in eleven consecutive games prior to being held to just a run by Stringer.

Wayland Baptist took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning after a couple of defensive miscues led to Vinny Biancamano driving in a run on an error by Buck Britton on a dropped fielder's choice throw from Burke at shortstop.  The Pioneers had the bases loaded with no outs when the Chaps replaced starting pitcher Tanner Vickers in the sixth inning with Jacob Cunningham. Keith Martin was Cunningham's first batter faced and Cunningham forced Martin into a chopper into the dirt near home plate, resulting in catcher Karlton Banks touching home plate for an unassisted force-out and a throw to first to complete a double play.  Cunningham then forced Todd Jeffress into grounding out to get out of the jam with just one run surrendered in the frame.

LCU entered the ninth inning with Richard Navarrete on the mound, as he was one of eight seniors playing in their final regular season home game at Hays Field.  Senior Billy Jordan came in to record the final out in the top of the ninth, but the four errors had already spoiled the Chaps spirits.  Vickers suffered the loss and dropped to 8-1 on the season.  He pitched five innings and gave up a run on five hits and struck out eight batters.

The Chaps will now prepare for postseason play, as they will open the conference tournament with the tournament's first game.  LCU will face St. Gregory's University at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Plainview at Wayland's Wilder Field.