Feb. 14, 2005

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' baseball team rallied once to tie the game in the ninth, but lost a 10-7 decision to Lubbock Christian, Monday evening in nonconference action at Hunter Field.

The Cowboys made a rally in the ninth, when Craig Johnson reached on a wild pitch after a strikeout, and Taylor Lamar walked. After a Barry Janisse pop out made it two out, Justin Wilson walked to load the bases. Michael Popino singled to right to score two runs and then Wilson was hung up in a run down and ended up making it to third.

Michael Simpson then singled to right to knock in Wilson and tie the game at seven and send it to extra innings.

In the 10th, the Chaps responded with three runs. Two infield singles and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third and Michael Harkins hit a ball to right that was misplayed all the way to the wall and he scored on the play.

LCU struck first in the first on an RBI double by Justin Sundie. The Cowboys responded with two runs in the third. Elliot Strader led off with a double and scored on a Brad Coleman single to left. Geoff Wheeler moved Coleman to second with a bunt and he scored when Taylor Lamar reached on an error.

LCU went back on top in the fourth when Zach Barnard and Travis Pendley hit back-to-back homers to right center. HSU's Justin Wilson had an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth and Michael Simpson had an RBI single to left to tie the game at four.

In the sixth, Pendley scored on an Alex Sianez sacrifice fly. LCU added two runs in the ninth on a two-run homer by Lance Bina.

Brian Arnold was solid on the mound for the Cowboys allowing four runs in 6 and 1/3 innings. Patrick Brandt took the loss for the Cowboys in relief. Cody Thomas earned the win in relief for LCU.

The Cowboys (2-1) will return to action Friday when they travel to Stephenville to play Tarleton State. Lubbock Christian improved to 6-1 on the year.