Lopes plate three in ninth to top UNLV

Tuesday, March 22

Las Vegas, Nev.

3 P.M.

Grand Canyon

11-10

UNLV

8-11

Grand Canyon

UNLV

3/22/2016 5:01:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Josh Hauser

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - With the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, sophomore Thomas Lerouge laced a two-RBI single down the left field line to break a 7-7 tie and propel Grand Canyon to a 10-8 victory in Las Vegas on Tuesday. A.J. Franks struck out the final batter he faced, leaving the bases loaded, to seal the victory. The Lopes snap a five-game skid and head into Western Athletic Conference play on a winning note.

Having surrendered a five-run lead earlier in the contest, Grand Canyon reclaimed the lead in the top of the ninth. Zach Malis drew a walk, Brandon Smith singled and Griffin Barnes was hit by a pitch to load up the bases, forcing the Rebels to turn to a new arm out of their bullpen. Lerouge didn't wait long, connecting on the first pitch he saw on what proved to be the game-winning hit. Tyler Wyatt added GCU's third run of the frame on a sacrifice fly.

The home-half of the ninth was not smooth sailing, however, as the Rebels loaded the bases and plated a run. But on a 1-2 count, Franks pitched a called third strike to secure his first save in a GCU uniform.

Grand Canyon looked to have control of the game, scoring four runs in the seventh to jump out to a 7-2 lead. GCU used three hits and two UNLV errors with RBI from Smith and Lerouge. But the Rebels came storming back with a five-spot in the bottom of the seventh to knot the score at seven, using five base hits to do the damage. After a scoreless eighth both ways, the Lopes scored three times in the ninth to secure the win.

Jake Wong, making his first collegiate start, pitched out of trouble in several instances throughout the game. In the opening frame, he used a pick-off and an inning-ending double play to work around three early baserunners. In the fifth, Wong gave up a leadoff triple but coaxed three consecutive ground balls, forcing the runner to stay put and keep UNLV scoreless. Wong tossed 5.0 innings, allowed seven hits and limited the Rebels to two runs, one of which was earned.

Grand Canyon opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Malis and Smith began the inning with back-to-back singles and were moved into scoring position on a Ben Mauseth bunt. Barnes drove in the first run of the game on a single to right field, while Lerouge laid down a beautiful bunt to score Smith. The Lopes tacked on a run in the ensuing frame when Malis tripled for the first time in his collegiate career, scoring Panaccione who had reached on a leadoff walk.

The Lopes had at least one runner on base in every inning and had a runner in scoring position in eight of the nine innings.

Grand Canyon returns to Brazell Stadium on Thursday to open up WAC play against Utah Valley. First pitch in the conference opener is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday night.