LUBBOCK, Texas (April 26, 2026) – Playing in its final game of the 2026 season, The University of Texas Permian Basin baseball team scored four runs in the ninth inning in a 14-10 loss at Lubbock Christian University.

Timmy LaChappa pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the first inning on 11 pitches, and then UTPB scored first in the top of the second inning as Carlos Chavez led off with a double to right center and later scored from third base on a two-out RBI-single up the middle by Braeden Dyck.

A pair of called strike threes bookended another 1-2-3 inning for LaChappa in the second inning, but a leadoff single up the middle was followed by a two-run home run to left center field to give LCU a 2-1 lead with nobody out in the bottom of the third inning.

LCU would add a one-out double to right center before a two-out RBI-single to left center field on a 3-2 pitch from LaChappa, making it a three-run third inning for the Chaparrals.

Dyck singled in each of his first two at bats, starting off the top of the fifth inning with a knock to left field. Hudson Mitchell followed with a bunt single, and then Daylon Jefcoats started the final game of his freshman season 3-for-3 and brought in Dyck with an RBI-double to left field.

An RBI-groundout to first base by Alden Quintanilla scored Mitchell on the next at bat to tie the game (3-3), but after LaChappa left the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth and got the first two outs two batters into the bottom of the fifth, the new Falcon pitcher was greeted with a solo homer to center field and two batters later, a two-run shot to right field. Then after another pitching change, the Chaps hit their third home run of the inning (back-to-back jacks), hitting one to all three positions in the outfield.

The home-run barrage resulted in four runs for the Chaps to take a 7-3 advantage, and an even bigger five-run sixth inning for LCU started with a leadoff triple followed by a two-run home run to right field, making it four home runs in a stretch of just seven at bats for the home team.

For a game that ended with both teams in the double-digits, it was pitcher's duel through the first four innings. LaChappa allowed six hits, three runs, two walks and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings. The UTPB bullpen combined to allow 11 hits and 11 runs over the next 1.1 innings. Kyle England led the Chaps' pitching staff, delivering 4.2 innings while allowing three earned runs on seven hits and striking out four batters without issuing a walk. Both teams would use seven pitchers in the contest.

"Timmy pitched well enough to get a win today, we just did not pitch well enough out of the pen to give ourselves a chance," said UTPB Head Coach Justin Phillips.

Jefcoats made it a 4-for-4 start with a single through the left side to lead off the seventh inning. That was followed by a pinch-hit single through the right side by senior Jarren Lewis. After Jefcoats scored on another pinch-hit single, this time to center field by senior Tanner Hedrick, Lewis scored on a fielder's choice hit to short by Joshua Estrada.

After homering in the sixth inning, LCU's Grace Hudson did it again with a leadoff homer to right center in the seventh inning. After hitting six home runs on Senior Day, the Chaps finished the regular season as the LSC leader with 59 home runs on the season.

Another UTPB senior, Aidan Becker, came on to pitch with two outs in the bottom of the seventh and did not allow a hit in his 1.1 innings on the bump.

"I am glad all of our seniors got to partake in the game today, and we wish them the best in their future endeavors," added Phillips.

UTPB's ninth-inning rally started with a hit by pitch by Hedrick, and after a walk by Cruz Garcia to load the bases, Estrada brought in a run with a fielder's choice to shortstop for the second time in the final three innings.

Then a hit by pitch by Dyck loaded the bases again, and after Mitchell singled to left field to score a run, Gael Bernal doubled down the right field line, plating two more runs and putting two runners in scoring position with just one out.

However, UTPB would get no closer as a called strike three went for out number two, and then a walk loaded the bases for a third time in the inning before a swing-and-a-miss strike three ended the season.

Jefcoats finished 4-for-6 while Chavez was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk, Dyck was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and Mitchell was 2-for-3. In addition, Bernal and Estrada both had two RBI's.

"I appreciate all of our players, support staff and our coaching staff for their efforts this year," concluded Coach Phillips. "We have a lot of look forward to with all of our youth."

UTPB finishes its 2026 season 14-36 both overall and in the Lone Star Conference.
 
Series Combined Statistical Leaders:

• Carlos Chavez hit .545 (6-for-11) with four runs scored, four walks, two doubles and a home run. He added a .667 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage.
• Daylon Jefcoats hit .444 (8-for-18) with three runs, three RBI's and two doubles.
• Braeden Dyck hit .429 (6-for-14) with four runs scored and a double.
• Gael Bernal (5-for-17) led the Falcons with two hit by pitches, tied for the team lead in runs (4), and tied with Joshua Estrada for the lead in RBI's (4).
• Among the pitchers, Aidan Becker (1.1 innings) and Alex Thrasher (1.0 innings) both put up a 0.00 ERA in relief.
• Damian Robles (3.60 ERA) earned the win in game one of the series after allowing three hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts in five innings of relief to finish out the game. Kaden Johnson (4.91 ERA) allowed two hits, two runs, two walks and two strikeouts in 3.2 innings of relief in game three. Shawn George (5.79 ERA) allowed three hits, three runs, zero walks and four strikeouts in 4.2 innings of relief to finish out game two.
• For the starters, Timmy LaChappa (5.79 ERA) allowed six hits, three runs, two walks and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings in game four while Sebastian Cabral (9.00 ERA) allowed four hits, four runs and four walks in four innings in game one.