CANYON, Texas (KFDA) – West Texas A&M overcame an early deficit with an eight-run third inning and defeated Lubbock Christian 15-11 in Lone Star Conference action Thursday.
The Buffs plated eight runs on 13 batters in the decisive third inning, erasing a 4-3 deficit.
West Texas A&M grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the opening frame. Jake Alwine scored on a Jacob Police triple to left field, and Timothy Haynes followed with a two-run homer to left center.
Third inning surge
The Buffs exploded for eight runs in the third. Luis Reyes and Tristin Thomas each delivered RBI hits before Haynes came through with a two-run single. A pair of Lubbock Christian errors helped West Texas A&M push the lead to 11-4.
West Texas A&M added another run in the fourth when Brock Bunker hit an RBI ground-rule double to make it 12-5.
West Texas A&M responded with two insurance runs in its half of the seventh. Bunker drove in a run with a two-out single to center, then came around to score on a wild pitch for a 15-9 lead.
Bryan Raitz improved to 4-1 with the victory. He worked 5.1 innings, allowing 11 hits and seven runs, six earned, while walking two and striking out five.
Riley Kettner notched his first save, working the final 3.2 innings. He surrendered seven hits and four earned runs with two walks and two strikeouts.
The teams return to action Friday for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
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