EDMOND, Okla. (Feb. 11, 2022) – A pair of dropped popups at wind-blown Wendell Simmons Field proved costly for Oklahoma Christian on Friday afternoon against Lubbock Christian (Texas).
The two errors led to four unearned runs for LCU, which matched the Chaparrals' margin of victory in an 8-4 win over OC in the opening game of a Lone Star Conference baseball series. The series was moved to Central Oklahoma's field because OC's new turf infield hasn't yet been installed.
The wind played a major factor in the game, as it steadily increased from 15 mph to about 25 miles per hour from the north during the game – blowing straight in from left field. That, combined with the long dimensions of Simmons Field, favored pitchers and stymied OC's power hitters. The Eagles' high-powered offense managed only six hits in the conditions.
Lubbock Christian (3-2, 3-2 LSC) went ahead in the third on a two-run single by Luis Navarro off OC starter
Isaiah Alvarenga (1-1).
Alvarenga was trying to make it through the fifth inning, but the Chaparrals loaded the bases. Eduardo Acosta sent a popup to short right field that second baseman
Kevin Collyar couldn't quite corral. Umpires ruled the bobble came in fair territory, and all three LCU baserunners scored, making it 6-0.
Collyar walked and scored in the fifth, but another dropped wind-blown fly ball, by right fielder
Blake Empkey, allowed another run to score during a two-run top of the sixth for the Chaparrals.
Down 8-1, the Eagles got another run when
Michael DiFiore doubled to left-center and scored in the sixth. In the seventh, OC added two more runs on a double by
Chance Westervelt, but LCU reliever Brendan Anderson came on to retire the Eagles' next two batters and strand two runners in scoring position.
Anderson picked up the save while starter Aramando Valle (1-0), who threw 5 2/3 innings, earned the pitching win for Lubbock Christian.
The teams will play two seven-inning games on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m., before a nine-inning game that will begin Sunday at noon.
