RAMS TAKE GAME ONE FROM #7 LCU
February 8, 2007

Box Score

FORT WORTH, TX:  Game one of a three-game series between the18th ranked Texas Wesleyan University baseball team (2-1) and 7th ranked Lubbock Christian University (7-1) lived up to the billing of a battle between NAIA heavyweights.  The Rams took a hard fought 7-0 decision from the Chaps at LaGrave field on Friday.

Neither team could push a run across the plate through six innings.  Lubbock Christian’s Gary Poynter carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but Texas Wesleyan’s Jayson Rachuig was up to the task.

Rachuig allowed just three hits through six innings.  In the seventh, Will Stramp singled with one out and advanced to second on a walk.  Racuig was lifted for Hayden Lackey, who got a strikeout and a ground out to get out of the jam.

In the bottom of the seventh, Zach Smith reached on an error.  With two-outs Butch Ballez knocked scored Jordan Buckly, who ran for Smith, with the Rams first hit of the game.  Texas Wesleyan added a two-run single from Brandon Frazier and a two-run single from Ryan Jacobi in the inning to take a 5-0 lead.

LCU loaded the bases with one-out in the eighth, but Lackey induced an inning-ending double play.  In the bottom of the eighth, solo home runs from Smith and Mikey Valdez brought the score to 7-0.

Lackey (1-0), the reigning Red River Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, earned the win in his first appearance.  He went 2.2 innings and allowed three hits while striking out a pair.  Rachuig tossed 6.1 scoreless innings and allowed just four hits.

Poynter (2-1) was outstanding in the loss allowing three unearned runs on one hit while striking out 10 in 6.2 innings of work.

The Chaps out hit the Rams 7-5, but Texas Wesleyan the Rams tied a school record by turning four double-plays.

The Rams and Chaps will continue the series on Saturday.  The first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.