STERLINGTON, La. – The Louisiana Christian University baseball team picked up its third and fourth wins this season over teams which at least received votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll as the Wildcats knocked off the #25 Central Methodist Eagles, 5-3, and (RV) Science and Arts Drovers, 7-1, Saturday at the Cajun Collision at the Sterlington Sports Complex.
Game 1 – Louisiana Christian 5, #25 Central Methodist 3
A day after #25 Central Methodist (2-2) ended #1 LSU Shreveport's 65-game win streak, it was Louisiana Christian (10-2) which jumped onto the scoreboard immediately as
Braden McLin took the game's first pitch over the fence for a 1-0 lead.
That lead wouldn't last long, however, as the Eagles scored two in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-1 lead. CMU extended its advantage in the third inning with a solo home run, making it 3-1 Eagles after three complete.
A two-out rally got the Wildcats back in it in the fourth. With two away and
Matthew Cody standing on first base,
Caleb Brown lifted a hit over the left fielder's head for a double, allowing Cody to come all the way around to score.
Drake Aldridge followed that with a base hit into right and Brown raced in from second to tie the score at 3-3.
The game would remain tied all the way to the seventh, and final, frame where another two-out rally allowed LCU to take the lead. With the bases empty and two away,
Jake Messina drew a walk and
Luke Morgan would take his place on the base paths. McLin was able to leg out an infield single to the third and both base runners would move up on a wild pitch.
After
Sterling Sims walked to load the bases,
Braden Trull also watched ball four fly by to force home Morgan on the base on balls. Cody then came up and smacked a base hit which allowed McLin to score a key insurance run before the third out was recorded.
Kade Linn made the lead stand up, allowing just a walk with two outs to the Eagles before getting the final batter looking to secure the win.
Cody led the offense against CMU, going three-for-four at the plate with a RBI and a run scored.
McLin's home run to start the game was his second of the season as he went two-for-four at the plate with a RBI and scored twice.
Brown went one-for-three with his one hit being a double which got him a RBI. He also scored a run.
Linn (1-0) went the distance on the mound for the Wildcats to pick up his first win of the season. He threw all seven innings and allowed just four hits and three runs, all earned, with 12 strikeouts and four walks.
Game 2 – Louisiana Christian 7, (RV) Science & Arts (Okla.) 1
After keeping (RV) Science & Arts (1-3) off the board in the top of the first inning, it was again McLin who got things going for the Wildcat offense in the bottom half as he drew a base on balls to start the LCU at bat.
He moved to second on a ground ball by Sims where the only play was to first and then went to third on a wild pitch before Trull brought him home with a base hit to put the Wildcats up 1-0 after one.
USAO tied the score in the second inning with a RBI single, though LCU was able to get out of the frame with no more damage done. The score would not stay tied for much longer.
After Aldridge singled with one out in the bottom half of the frame,
Logan Lobell provided the big blast, smashing a two-run home run to make it 3-1 LCU.
The Wildcats added more in the third. Sims started the inning with a base hit and Trull doubled to left to put runners on second and third.
Harrison Waxley came through with a productive out, pushing a ground ball to second base which allowed Sims to come in from third base. Brown then dropped a base hit into right field and Trull motored in from third for a 5-1 lead after three.
LCU extended the lead again in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Aldridge dropped a base hit into center field, bringing home Cody.
Brady Huffman followed that with a base hit to center and Waxley came home to score for the game's final run.
Trull, Cody, Aldridge, and Huffman all had two hits in the final game in Sterlington. Trull went two-for-four with a double, a RBI, and a run scored. Cody was two-for-four with a run scored. Aldridge was two-for-three with a RBI and a run scored. Huffman was also two-for-three with a RBI.
Lobell's home run was his lone hit of the game as he went one-for-three with two RBI and a run scored. It was his first home run of the season.
Brandon Carter (3-0) went six innings and allowed six hits with just the one run, which was earned, with one walk while striking out eight batters to get the win.
Colton Williams threw the seventh inning, giving up just a walk and struck out two Drover batters to finish the contest.
The Wildcats look to keep their hot start going on Thursday as they begin a busy weekend at home by hosting #15 Arizona Christian. First pitch of Thursday's contest against the Firestorm (7-2) is set for 4 p.m. at Billy Allgood Field.
