'Lopes Defeat Wildcats in Tucson

Tuesday, March 18

Tucson, AZ

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

10-9

Arizona

11-12

Grand Canyon

Arizona

Ethan Evanko tossed 6.0 strong innings in the win over Arizona

Photo by: Theon Carrier

3/18/2014 8:58:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Win 3-1 over 2012 World Series Champions

In their first meeting in nearly 11 years, the Grand Canyon University baseball team (10-9, 2-1 WAC) defeated the University of Arizona (11-12, 1-2 Pac-12) by a score of 3-1 tonight at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz.. It was their third straight win and the first meeting between the two teams since April 22, 2003. It also marked the first win for the Antelopes over the Wildcats since a 17-8 victory on April 16, 2002 in Tucson.

Arizona won the 2012 NCAA College World Series Championship.

The 'Lopes used a ninth-inning rally to break a 1-1 tie, using two timely hits and a pair of walks to give themselves a two-run cushion.

GCU starter Ethan Evanko did not factor into the decision, but tossed 6.0 strong innings, allowing just one run on six hits and no walks with four strikeouts. Scott Serigstad earned the win with 0.2 scoreless innings, getting the final two outs of the eighth inning.

"What we did in Bakersfield was not an easy task, and I think that our guys are starting to feel like we can compete," said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. "They are starting to feel more confident in our game, and are understanding that we have to be who we are which is pitching to contact and playing good defense. I can't say enough about Ethan coming in as a freshman. He just does what he does, which is throw strikes. I'm proud of him and the job he has done. And our relievers all came in and did a great job. Tonight we played good baseball, which is what we are trying to preach."

Friday night starter Jorge Perez picked up his first save of the season, and second of his career, with a perfect 1-2-3 ninth.

Michael Pomeroy went 3-for-4 at the plate, including handing the 'Lopes the two-run cushion in the top of the ninth with an RBI single. Chad De La Guerra extended his hitting streak to nine games, while David Walker, Paul Panaccione, and Matt Haggerty also collected a hit.

Pomeroy represented GCU's first baserunner after singling to center field to open the third inning. Two outs later, he was moved to second on a single through the left side off the bat of Walker. Panaccione then promptly plated the first run of the game with an RBI single to left field to score Pomeroy and hand the 'Lopes the 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats looked to open the bottom half of the frame with a leadoff triple, but a great relay from Haggerty to De La Guerra to Josh Ethier put the runner out at third.

In the top of the fourth, Haggerty found himself at third base following a two-out triple to left-centerfield, but a fly out to center ended the threat. It was Haggerty's first-career three-bagger.

Arizona knotted the score at one in the fourth after the leadoff batter reached via a double, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch with two outs on the board. The Wildcats threatened again in the fifth, but Evanko pitched out of the jam by inducing back-to-back groundouts.

The Wildcats had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but a diving stop by Ethier at third base ended in a fielder's choice as reliever Trent Wilson got out of the jam.

Panaccione opened the ninth inning with a walk and was moved to third on a single through the right side by De La Guerra with nobody out. Panaccione scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch as De La Guerra moved to second. Two outs later, Pomeroy plated De La Guerra with a single to right field as GCU made it a 3-1 game before the inning was over.

"You can't say enough about Michael's glove, and he hasn't been swinging the bat as well as he would like, but he had some big hits tonight," added Stankiewicz. "This is good for his confidence. And giving us that big RBI in the ninth helped us a breathe a little easier."

Perez came into the game and promptly retired all three batters he faced to secure the win.

"Josh made a great diving play with the bases loaded to get the force out in the seventh and Paul made a tough backhand play to end the game," said Stankiewicz. "We have been telling the guys to play our brand of baseball and let the chips fall as they may, and tonight, they fell in our favor.

The 'Lopes will be in action this weekend for a non-conference three-game series at UC Irvine. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. on Friday and fans can find links to follow the action live by visiting www.gculopes.com.

GCU 3, Arizona 1